BANCROFT    LIBRARY 


OFFICIAL   DISPATCHES 


—  AND  — 


LETTERS 


—  OF  — 


REAR  ADMIRAL  Du  PONT, 


U  .    S .    NAVY. 


1846-48.     1861-63. 


WILMINGTON,    DEL. 

PRESS    OF    FERRIS     BROS.,    PRINTERS. 
1883. 


0<f  OX 


SAMUEL  FRANCIS  Du  PONT,  Rear  Admiral  United 
States  Navy,  was  born  at  Bergen  Point,  New  Jersey, 
September  2/th,  1803,  of  French  parentage  and  descent. 

He  was  the  son  of  Victor  -  Marie  Du  Pont  and 
Gabrielle  -  Josephine  de  la  Fite  de  Pelleport,  daughter 
of  the  Marquis  de  Pelleport. 

Du  Pont  de  Nemours,  Admiral  Du  Pont's  grand 
father,  well  known  for  his  long  connection  with  public 
affairs  in  France,  came  to  America  with  his  sons 
during  the  closing  months  of  the  last  century.  After 
a  temporary  sojourn  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey, 
the  sons  established  themselves  in  Delaware,  of  which 
State  they  became  citizens. 

Admiral  Du  Pont  was  appointed  a  midshipman  in 
the  navy  by  President  Monroe,  on  the  igth  of  De 
cember,  1815,  and  for  almost  fifty  years  faithfully 
served  his  country. 

Believing  that  the  official  dispatches,  relating  to 
the  wars  in  which  he  took  part,  would  be  of  interest 
to  his  'family  and  friends,  his  widow  has  had  them 
printed. 

LOUVIERS,  June,  1883. 


OFFICIAL    DISPATCHES 

—  OF  — 

ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 

MEXICAN     WAR. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane, 
Port  of  San  Diego,  Wednesday,  July  agth,  1846. 

Commodore   R.  F.  STOCKTON,   Commander-in-Chief,  etc., 
United  States  Frigate  Congress, 
San  Pedro : 

SIR:  —  I  have  to  report  that,  after  a  rapid  passage, 
I  anchored  here  at  meridian  to-day,  and  at  4  o'clock 
p.  m.  the  American  flag  was  hoisted  by  Lieutenant 
Rowan,  and  *  the  place  immediately  garrisoned  by  the 
marine  guard.  So  soon  as  time  had  been  allowed 
for  this,  Brevet-Major  Fremont  landed  with  a  portion 
of  his  troops ;  the  boats  having  pulled  some  distance 
up  the  river,  it  was  not  possible  nor  necessary  to  make 
a  second  trip,  but  all  will  follow  at  daylight.  Owing 
to  the  scarcity  of  water,  the  camp  will  have  to  be 
located  near  the  Presidio.  Immediately  after  our  arri 
val  two  or  three  mounted  men  appeared  at  the  port, 
and  on  the  heights,  reconnoitring,  and  soon  after  a 
band  of  horses,  some  owned  by  Americans,  were  driven 
off,  from  near  the  hide-houses,  with  great  speed.  This 
operation,  witnessed  from  the  ship,  was  performed  by 
Andreas  Pico,  a  brother  to  Pio  Pico.  *  *  * 


2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  have  directed  Lieutenant  Rowan  to  secure  him, 
as  the  possession  of  his  person,  besides  commanding 
any  number  of  horses,  will  be  of  service  otherwise ; 
it  is  thought  he  will  give  himself  up  on  parole. 
Upon  an  emphatic  demand  being  made  of  the  Prefect, 
the  horses  driven  off  were  brought  back  in  the  evening. 

I  have  further  to  inform  you  that  I  arrived  just  in 
time  to  prevent  the  sailing  of  the  Juanita,  hermaphro 
dite  brig,  that  was  unmooring  when  we  came  in.  She 
came  in  here  with  a  Mexican  flag,  having  been  to  Maz- 
atlan  with  a  Mexican  pass  ;  so  reports  her  supercargo. 
Immediately  on  hoisting  our  colors  she  showed  the 
Hawaiian  flag ;  her  crew  were  shipped  to-day ;  the 
second  Alcalde  of  San  Diego  was  on  board  of  her, 
and  Andreas  Pico  had  been  down  just  before  we  an 
chored.  She  gave  out  that  she  was  bound  to  San 
Pedro;  but  if  the  report  that  Castro  is  nine  miles 
from  here  be  true,  my  impression  is  that  he  was  to 
have  embarked  in  her  this  afternoon  ;  if  not,  to  go  on 
board  of  her  at  some  near  point  on  the  coast.  She 
has  recently  changed  owners ;  her  captain  is  at  the 
Pueblo,  according  to  the  supercargo,  detained  there  on 
business,  but,  by  the  mate's  account,  by  sickness.  Alto 
gether  being  very  suspicious,  I  took  upon  myself  to 
detain  her  for  the  present,  and  thus  cut  off  Castro's 
retreat  by  sea. 

The  little  chart  of  the  coast  I  had  was  of  ser 
vice,  though  not  correct  by  any  means.  I  intend  to 
have  a  line  of  soundings  run.  I  found  this  ship  very 
deficient  in  her  supply  of  charts,  Arrowsmith's  be 
ing  very  incorrect ;  fortunately  I  had  the  coarse  litho 
graphed  one  of  this  part  of  the  coast,  procured  at  the 
Sandwich  Islands,  which  is  more  accurate.  This  was 
fortunate,  for  I  had  no  observations  from  the  day  I 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  3 

left  until  yesterday.  We  saw  a  small  island  north 
west  by  west  from  San  Miguel,  and  passed  within  a 
mile  of  it ;  not  laid  down  on  any  chart  here,  and  I 
believe  on  no  other. 

This,  sir,  is  the  amount  of  information  which  the 
first  day's  arrival  has  enabled  me  to  report.  I  shall 
avail  myself  of  every  opportunity  to  inform  you  of 
events  in  this  quarter. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  great  respect, 
your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Commander,  United  States  Navy. 

ii  p.  m.  —  Lieutenant  Rowan  has  returned  on 
board ;  he  reports  the  authorities  as  with  us  in  feel 
ing,  but,  fearing  to  compromise  themselves  in  case  of 
the  flag  coming  down,  declined  active  co-operation. 
Great  joy  prevailed  among  women  and  children  at 
the  appearance  of  our  people,  they  having  been  kept 
in  constant  terror  by  Castro.  The  Alcaldes  are  to 
decide  if  they  would  continue  their  functions ;  the 
Custom  House  officer  has  agreed  to  serve. 

P.  S. — Thursday,  3Oth. — The  remainder  of  Brevet- 
Major  Fremont's  party  landed  early  this  morning. 
The  report  of  Castro  being  in  this  vicinity  is  contra 
dicted  ;  he  is  said  to  be  at  Pueblo.  Andreas  Pico 
left  last  evening,  not  having  been  seen  except  whilst 
the  flag  of  truce  was  flying. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


4  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

United  States  Ship  Cyane, 
Port  of  San  Diego,  July  31,  1846. 

Commodore  R.  F.  STOCKTON,  Commander-in-Chief,  etc., 
United  States  Frigate  Congress : 

SIR: — My  communication,  No.  I,  will  have  informed 
you  of  my  proceedings  up  to  yesterday  morning ;  of 
the  American  flag  having  been  hoisted  by  Lieutenant 
Rowan,  and  the  town  of  San  Diego  garrisoned  by  the 
Marine  Guard  under  Lieutenant  Maddox  ;  of  the  landing, 
immediately  afterwards  of  the  battalion  under  Major 
Fremont,  and  the  promise  of  the  authorities  to  inform 
me  if  they  would  continue  to  hold  office  under  the 
new  order  of  things. 

I  proceeded  yesterday  to  the  town,  and  was  waited 
upon  by  the  civil  authorities,  who,  while  expressing 
every  friendly  feeling  towards  the  present  movement, 
and  promising  all  their  influence  as  citizens  to  pre 
serve  the  peace  of  the  place,  informed  me  that  they 
had  concluded  to  resign  their  offices,  having  received 
them  from  other  powers,  etc.  I  represented  to  them 
the  advantages  of  a  different  course,  but  without  ef 
fect.  They  proposed  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  to  ap 
point  their  successors,  subject  to  my  approval ;  this  of 
course  I  encouraged,  and  the  meeting  was  held,  but  of 
the  persons  elected,  Captain  Fitch,  one  of  them,  declined 
serving.  The  late  civil  authority  is  therefore  at  an 
end  in  San  Diego ;  but  the  very  small  population,  their 
quiet  and  orderly  character,  and  their  friendly  feelings 
towards  us,  keep  me  from  apprehending  much  trouble 
in  consequence.  There  was  an  exception  to  the  gene 
ral  resignation  of  those  holding  office.  Don  Pedro 
Carillo,  a  very  prepossessing  person,  speaking  English 
fluently,  and  the  son-in-law  of  Sefior  Bardini,  a  mem 
ber  of  the  Mexican  Congress,  who  has  offered  us  the 
hospitalities  of  his  house,  has  agreed  to  continue  as 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  5 

\ 

Administrator  of  the  Customs.  I  propose  to  make 
him  in  addition,  the  Chief  Alcalde,  but  have  not  yet 
ascertained  whether  he  will  fill  this  place.  The  only 
preventative  to  almost  universal  approval  and  co-ope 
ration  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  is  the  doubt  as  to 
their  future  security  of  person  and  property,  as  well 
as  present  protection.  The  people  of  San  Diego  have 
resisted  all  the  appeals  of  Castro's  agents  to  join  him, 
and  are  naturally  in  terror  lest  before  the  war  be 
brought  to  a  close,  they  should  be  left  unprotected. 
I  should  be  pleased  to  receive  your  instructions  as  to 
what  course  shall  be  pursued,  in  case  trading  vessels 
arrive,  how  to  be  entered,  and  what  tariff  of  duties 
collected,  etc.  I  presume  no  duties,  except  harbor  and 
tonnage,  can  be  charged  those  having  articles  of  American 
manufacture  only. 

Going  to  town  on  Friday  afternoon,  I  learned  from 
Major  Fremont  that  he  had  been  advised  of  the  pos 
sibility  of  a  night  attack  by  Castro  and  his  forces, 
under  the  impression  that  the  town  was  defended  only 
by  our  Marine  Guard,  his  troops  having  reached  it  only 
after  night-fall  on  Wednesday,  previous  to  which  An 
dreas  Pico  had  left  for  the  Pueblo.  A  messenger  was 
immediately  dispatched  to  the  ship,  and  in  incredibly 
short  time  a  reinforcement  of  about  one  hundred  sea 
men,  under  Lieutenant  Rowan,  came  into  the  town,  well 
armed,  and  marching  like  regular  troops.  A  detach 
ment  was  also  left  with  the  launch  and  gun,  to  defend 
the  hide-houses  near  the  beach.  But  the  enemy  did 
not  appear,  nor  was  it  possible,  upon  a  reconsideration 
of  the  distance,  for  him  to  have  done  so.  The  men 
have  remained  up  at  the  town,  and  will  continue  there 
until  the  probability  of  such  an  occurrence  has  ceased, 
being  present  myself  at  night  with  them.  *  *  * 


6  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

From  the  day  of  my  arrival,  with  the  assistance 
of  Major  Fremont,  I  have  made  every  effort  to  get  a 
courier  to  carry  these  communications  to  you,  but  it  is 
conceived  next  to  impossible  for  a  messenger  to  reach 
San  Pedro  ;  if  escaping  with  his  life,  his  dispatch  would 
be  taken.  As  the  same  difficulty  will  occur,  probably, 
with  your  own  efforts  to  send  one  this  way,  I  pur 
pose  forwarding  this  by  one  of  the  ship's  boats,  which 
I  believe  can  be  done  at  little  hazard.  *  *  *  * 
The  gathering  in  of  horses  has  been  slow,  yet  it  pro 
gresses  ;  some  sixty  have  been  procured  ;  we  cannot 
learn  that  any  have  been  driven  off. 

Lieutenant  Harrison  has  been  employed  survey 
ing  the  harbor;  at  some  future  day  I  hope  to  lay 
before  you  the  advantages  offered  by  this  port  and 
the  surrounding  country.  *  *  *  *  Castro  has  400 
men  at  the  Pueblo,  not  well  armed,  six  pieces  of  ar 
tillery,  three  of  them  flying.  It  is  believed  here  that 
he  will  readily  receive  offers  to  capitulate. 

I  think  it  not  irrelevant  to  mention  that  I  have 
found  the  officers  and  crew  of  this  ship  equal  to  any 
emergency.  The  zeal  and  dispatch  with  which  they 
came  up  from  the  ship,  in  the  instance  above  alluded 
to,  is  an  evidence  of  it.  My  messenger  left  San 
Diego  at  five  o'clock;  the  distance  is,  as  I  have  before 
stated,  five  miles ;  by  eight  o'clock  the  party  arrived,  that 
portion  of  it  on  foot  at  the  same  time  with  that  for 
which  horses  could  be  supplied ;  their  arms  in  good 
order,  and  the  duties  of  the  night  guards  and  patrols 
immediately  assumed  with  the  greatest  regularity. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully 
your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Commander. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  J 

August  3.  —  I  have  just  returned  from  San  Diego. 
The  practicability  of  communicating  by  land  is  declared 
impossible.  I  have  concluded,  therefore,  to  despatch 
the  launch,  which  I  trust  will  meet  with  your  appro 
val  ;  she  is  well  equipped  and  well  commanded,  and 
I  entertain  no  apprehensions  in  regard  to  her.  I  have 
not,  of  course,  overlooked  the  probability  of  your  using 
the  same  mode  to  send  me  your  instructions,  yet  I 
have  considered  a  knowledge  of  the  exact  state  of 
things  here  desirable,  previous  to  sending  them. 

Some  scraps  of  intelligence  reached  us  yesterday, 
such  as  that  the  news  of  the  arrival  of  this  ship  had 
caused  the  followers  of  Castro  to  leave  him  in  num 
bers  ;  also,  that  a  force  of  100  foreigners  were  east  of 
the  Pueblo  —  supposed  a  party  from  Oregon.  No  in 
telligence  of  the  arrival  of  the  Congress  at  San  Pedro. 

Major  Fremont  returned  last  night  from  a  scout 
ing  expedition,  having  brought  in  a  few  horses ;  he 
tells  me  there  are  no  others  within  a  circuit  of  thirty 
miles;  they  now  have  83,  and  require  at  least  200; 
the  party  consisting  of  105  men,  with  field -piece,  bag 
gage,  etc.,  to  transport. 

We  are  saving  our  provisions  all  we  can,  but  the 
bread  is  running  low,  Major  Fremont's  men  having 
consumed  a  good  deal  during  the  short  time  they  were 
on  board.  We  have  five  weeks  on  hand  now,  with  flour, 
if  we  can  manage  to  bake  it,  to  give  us  two  weeks 
more. 

I    have    the   honor   to   be,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT. 


OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

United  States  Ship  Cyane,  September  lyth,  1846, 

Port  of  Pichilingue,  Gulf  of  California. 
To  His  Excellency 

Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  Lower  California  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  Excellency's  communication  of  the  I4th  inst. 
In  general  terms  I  will  state  at  once  that  in  estab 
lishing  a  blockade,  in  accordance  with  the  enclosed 
declaration  from  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United 
States  forces  in  the  Pacific  Ocean,  all  possible  mode 
ration  and  discrimination  consistent  with  my  duty  will  be 
exercised  towards  those  who  may  have  had  no  part 
in  bringing  about  the  present  state  of  war,  whose  suf 
ferings  would  in  no  way  contribute  to  the  injury  of 
Mexico. 

The  persons  and  property  of  the  people  of  Lower 
California  will  be  respected ;  the  supplies  which  this  ship 
or  any  others  of  the  United  States  may  require,  will  be 
scrupulously  paid  for  at  fair  prices.  But  all  munitions 
of  war,  and  vessels  sailing  under  Mexican  colors,  or  the 
property  of  Mexicans,  must  form  an  exception.  All 
such,  therefore,  as  are  now  in  the  harbor  of  La  Paz, 
must  be  considered  as  prizes  to  the  United  States. 
Those  which  may  be  wanted  for  immediate  purposes 
will  be  taken,  but,  in  keeping  with  the  spirit  of  mode 
ration  expressed  above,  the  others  will  not  be  removed 
until  the  pleasure  of  Commodore  R.  F.  Stockton,  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  be  known.  They  will,  however,  be 
under  surveillance,  and  everything  be  kept,  for  the 
present,  as  it  now  stands. 

I  will  thank  your  Excellency  if  you  will  please 
to  direct  the  Captain  of  the  port  to  furnish  me  with 
a  list  of  such  vessels  as  are  here  alluded  to  now  in 
the  port  of  La  Paz,  with  their  papers,  names  of  the 
owners,  etc.,  and  I  will  receive  also,  with  pleasure,  any 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  9 

information  which  in  your  opinion  might  tend  to  miti 
gate  in  any  particular  cases  the  application  of  the  law 
respecting  the  property  of  belligerents,  or  vessels  sail 
ing  under  a  belligerent  flag.  This  information  I  will 
forward  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  whose  just  and 
liberal  views  I  am  sure  your  Excellency  will  be  satis 
fied  with. 

In  your  letter,  and  in  our  verbal  communications, 
your  Excellency  has  dwelt  with  emphasis  upon  the 
hardship  of  imposing  the  rigors  of  war  upon  a  pro 
vince  wholly  abandoned,  for  the  last  two  years,  by 
Mexico.  But  your  Excellency  may  also  see,  in  this 
circumstance,  a  reason  for  the  great  moderation  which 
has  characterized  the  prosecution  of  this  war  —  a  war 
brought  on  by  an  infatuation  on  the  part  of  the  Re 
public  of  Mexico  difficult  to  conceive.  For  the  whole 
of  her  western  coast,  the  towns  of  Acapulco,  San  Bias, 
Mazatlan,  and  both  shores  of  the  Gulf,  are  entirely  at 
the  mercy  of  the  United  States  naval  force  in  this  sea. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your 
Excellency's  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Commander  United  States  Ship  Cyane. 


United   States   Ship   Cyane,  Sept.  23d,  1846, 

Harbor  of  Pichilingue,  Gulf  of  California. 

Commodore  R.  F.  STOCKTON,  Commander-in-Chief,  etc., 
San   Francisco  : 

SIR  :  —  By  the  prize  steamer  Julia,  Lieutenant  Sel- 

den,  I  have  the  honor  to  report  my  proceedings  up 
to  this  date. 

As  you  are  aware,  I  sailed  from  San  Pedro  on 

the  afternoon  of  the  23d,  made  Cape  San  Lucas  on 


10  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  Oh 

the  3  ist,  and  on  the  1st  of  September  was  on  my 
cruising -ground.  On  the  2d  I  anchored  at  San  Bias, 
despatched  a  boat  on  shore,  established  the  blockade, 
and  took  a  Mexican  sloop,  the  Solita,  just  entering  the 
harbor  from  Mazatlan,  loaded  with  a  valuable  cargo  for 
the  interior,  some  of  it  directed  to  Vera  Cruz  and  San 
Luis  Potosi.  On  the  following  day  I  intercepted  the 
brigantine  Susanna,  also  from  Mazatlan,  with  a  similar 
cargo  for  the  interior.  An  officer  and  prize  crew  were 
placed  in  each  vessel,  keeping  them  with  me,  sometimes 
at  anchor  and  sometimes  under  way,  the  Susanna  being 
in  a  very  leaky  condition,  the  water  being  up  to  her 
cabin  deck  the  day  she  was  taken. 

Having  learned  that  San  Bias  was  susceptible  of 
easy  defence,  both  by  land  and  sea,  and  that  some  can 
non,  mounted  and  unmounted,  were  in  the  place,  I  di 
rected  Lieutenant  Rowan  to  land  and  spike  them. 
This  was  done.  There  were  thirty -four,  from  twelves 
to  thirty -two  pounders. 

The  two  vessels  that  I  took  off  San  Bias  were 
Mexican,  but  the  invoices  of  their  cargoes  show  that 
many  of  the  shipments  are  from  and  to  foreigners. 
You  are,  therefore,  likely  to  be  troubled  with  the 
complex  question  of  neutral  rights.  No  claims  have 
yet  reached  me;  if  they  had,  no  means  were  in  my 
power,  in  such  a  place  as  San  Bias,  or  anywhere  on 
the  coast,  to  attempt  an  adjudication,  and  I  decided 
to  send  the  cargoes,  so  soon  as  I  could,  to  be  disposed 
of  by  yourself.  I  felt  less  hesitation  in  adopting  this 
course,  for  these  skippers  and  merchants  had  the  Presi 
dent's  declaration  of  war  staring  them  in  the  face,  and 
believing  that  our  vessels  of  war  would  not  venture  on 
the  coast  at  this  tempestuous  season,  were  induced, 
thereby,  to  send  necessaries  and  luxuries  of  life  into 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  II 

the  interior  of  an  enemy's  country ;  some  of  these 
being  directed  to  a  place  blockaded  by  our  forces  in 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Finding,  on  examination,  the  Susanna  to  be  wholly 
unseaworthy,  I  took  her  cargo  on  board  this  ship  and 
scuttled  her ;  this  encumbered  me  a  great  deal,  and 
feeling  somewhat  anxious  for  the  prize  crew  of  the 
Solita,  in  case  of  heavy  weather  setting  in,  after  having 
been  off  and  on  the  port  for  eight  days,  I  took  the 
Solita  in  tow  and  stretched  along  the  coast,  intending 
to  look  into  Mazatlan  and  communicate  with  the  War 
ren  ;  or,  in  case  she  had  not  arrived,  to  cut  out  the 
Mulek  Adhel,  of  which  vessel  we  received  information 
at  San  Bias.  But  we  found  ourselves  anticipated  in 
this  by  the  Warren.  I  had,  however,  the  satisfaction 
to  receive  your  dispatch  of  the  24th  of  August,  when 
I  bore  away  for  this  place. 

Here,  or  rather  in  La  Paz,  six  miles  above  us,  I 
found  the  Julia  and  seven  other  Mexican  vessels,  which 
I  captured,  putting  a  prize  crew  on  board  the  former 
to  guard  the  rest.  They  are  generally  small  and 
worthless.  Their  capture,  however,  and  the  establish 
ment  of  the  blockade  in  this  peninsula,  seems  to  have 
been  a  great  blow  to  it,  as  the  Governor's  appeal  to 
you  and  his  correspondence  with  me  will  show,  all  of 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  with  this  report. 
These  vessels  are  generally  employed  in  the  coasting 
trade  of  the  peninsula,  and  supply  La  Paz,  San  Jose, 
and  San  Lucas  with  the  necessaries  of  life.  The  peo 
ple  are  friendly.  The  Governor,  who  is  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  all  Lower  California,  has  behaved  with  great 
civility  and  good  faith.  We  have  procured  not  only 
water,  but  fresh  provisions,  including  bread ;  so  that 
our  necessary  delay  here  to  fill  the  former,  and  dis- 


12  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

pose  of  the  prize    goods,  has   made  no    inroad   into  our 
other   provisions. 

Lower  California  has  wholly  been  neglected  by 
Mexico  for  the  last  two  years.  Her  people  have 
struggled  against  this  neglect  and  misrule,  and  are 
very  poor.  Why  they  permit  the  flag  of  so  worthless 
a  government  to  fly  over  their  country  cannot  be  easily 
conceived.  Certain  it  is  I  believe  they  are  ready  and 
anxious  to  hoist  ours,  provided  some  protection  is  guar-  « 
anteed.  Be  this  as  it  may,  I  take  the  liberty  of  re 
commending  them  in  their  present  straits  to  all  the 
consideration  and  mercy  which  your  sense  of  duty 
may  authorize. 

The  apathy  in  relation  to  the  war,  however,  in 
the  whole  Mexican  territory,  was  inconceivable,  and 
the  appearance  and  activity  of  the  ships  at  such  a 
season,  I  am  induced  to  think,  has  produced  a  great 
effect  in  bringing  home  to  the  people  of  the  western 
coast  of  Mexico  the  helpless  condition  in  which  they 
have  been  left  by  their  government,  should  our  naval 
force  have  been  directed  against  them. 

The  desire  that  your  decision  in  relation  to  the 
vessels  detained  at  La  Paz  should  be  known  as  soon 
as  possible,  the  governor  having  become  responsible 
for  their  safe-keeping,  and  the  opportunity  of  reliev 
ing  my  ships  of  the  cargo,  have  determined  me  to 
despatch  the  Julia,  with  all  the  prize  goods.  So  soon 
as  I  can  get  her  fitted,  I  will  scour  the  Gulf  for  the 
gunboats,  about  which  the  accounts  are  very  contra 
dictory,  run  down  to  Mazatlan  and  San  Bias,  communi 
cate  with  my  relief  should  she  have  arrived,  and  get 
the  last  advices  from  the  interior,  at  which  time  my 
provisions  will  be  pretty  well  expended. 

We    have   found,  so   far,  a   favorable   season,  having 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  13 

as  yet  escaped  the  gales;  these  seem  to  have  prevailed 
in  the  region  of  Acapulco,  where,  I  am  told,  three 
vessels  have  been  lost.  But  the  unmitigated  intensity 
of  the  heat,  day  and  night,  since  we  first  made  Cape 
San  Lucas,  baffles  all  description.  Yet  I  am  happy 
to  add,  my  officers  and  crew,  though  much  exposed 
in  boats,  rafting  water,  etc.,  continue  generally  in  ex 
cellent  health. 

You  will  perceive,  sir,  I  have  had  to  meet  some 
unforeseen  emergencies,  in  relation  to  which  I  was 
necessarily  without  definite  instructions.  My  best  judg 
ment  has  been  exercised,  and  I  trust  the  general  results 
will  be  satisfactory  to  you. 

I    have   the   honor   to    be,  etc.,  etc., 

S.   F.    Du  PONT. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane, 
Off  the  Port  of  Mazatlan,  October  i2th,  1846. 

Commodore  R.  F.  STOCKTON,  Commander-in-Chief  of 

the  United  States  Naval  Force  in  the  Pacific,  etc. 

SIR  :  —  Since  my  report  of  the  23d  of  September, 
I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  have  cruised 
along  the  eastern  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  California,  visited 
the  port  of  Loreto  and  the  Bay  of  Mulege,  established 
the  blockade,  and  taken  three  Mexican  vessels. 

'Having  ascertained  that  one  of  the  Mexican  gun 
boats  had  left  Mulege  a  few  days  previously  for 
Guaymas,  I  proceeded  thither,  anchoring  in  the  inner 
harbor,  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  instant.  Our  arrival 
had  been  anticipated,  and  the  town  placed  in  a  state 
of  siege.  A  battalion  of  troops  of  the  line  with  field 


14  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

artillery  had  come  from  Hermosilla,  which,  with  the 
National  Guard,  made  a  body  of  five  hundred  men 
under  arms.  The  two  gunboats,  however,  had  been 
entirely  dismantled ;  one  of  them  already  laid  "aground 
close  to  the  town,  where  the  other  was  likewise  placed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  /th,  I  sent  an  officer  to 
the  Mexican  commander  with  a  letter,  enclosing  the 
declaration  of  blockade,  stating  the  course  I  had 
previously  pursued  towards  the  persons  and  property 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  coast,  but  making  the  usual 
exception  to  Mexican  vessels ;  proposing,  in  relation  to 
all  merchantmen,  the  same  arrangement  which  had 
been  agreed  to  by  the  Governor  of  Lower  California, 
but  requesting  the  delivery  of  the  gunboats.  This  pro 
posal  was  declined ;  whereupon  I  informed  the  com 
mander  I  would  take  them  by  force,  and  unless  he 
left  the  town,  with  all  his  troops,  by  ten  a.  m.  the 
following  day,  I  should  be  compelled  to  fire  upon  it. 

On  the  following  morning  the  Mexican  commander 
informed  me  that  he  would  not  evacuate  the  town. 
The  Mexican  officer  who  bore  this  reply  was  accom 
panied  by  a  deputation  of  neutral  merchants,  bringing 
a  letter  from  the  Vice -Consul  of  Spain,  deprecating 
hostilities,  and  asking  a  delay  of  three  days  to  re 
move  their  goods. 

Having  ascertained  that  all  the  women  and  children 
had  left,  and  entertaining  some  doubts  of  the  sincerity 
of  these  gentlemen,  doubts  which  were  not  dispelled 
by  the  arrival  on  the  following  day  of  considerable 
reinforcements,  I  told  them  I  could  only  add  one  hour 
to  the  one  named,  as  they  had  lost  that  time  in  coming 
off  to  the  ship. 

Soon  after  this  deputation  landed,  and  before  ten 
o'clock,  the  enemy  set  fire  to  the  gunboats;  a  couple 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  15 

of  shells  dispersed  the  people  who  were  around  them, 
but  they  were  immediately  consumed.  The  only  Mex 
ican  vessel  remaining,  the  brig  Condor,  was,  however, 
spared,  either  from  the  conviction  that  in  her  secure 
position  no  attempt  to  cut  her  out  would  be  hazarded, 
or  if  such  attempt  were  made,  it  must  inevitably  result 
in  the  total  destruction  of  our  boats  and  men. 

The  brig  was  anchored  in  a  cove  close  to  the  town, 
the  houses  within  pistol  shot,  two  streets  opening  upon 
her,  and  one  of  these  leading  from  the  barracks,  which 
seemed  situated  behind  a  mound  which  rose  in  front 
of  the  town.  A  point  of  land,  forming  the  cove,  pro 
jected  out  some  distance  into  the  harbor,  so  that  the 
brig  would  have  to  be  warped  or  towed  several  hundred 
yards  parallel  to  the  houses,  before  she  could  bear 
away  from  them. 

The  ship  was  hauled  in  as  close  as  I  could 
get  her;  for  I  was  satisfied,  if  the  enemy  used  half 
the  men  and  means  he  had  at  command,  the  boats 
could  only  succeed  under  the  cover  of  a  very  rapid 
and  well-directed  fire  from  the  ships,  which  should 
keep  the  garrison,  with  their  artillery,  within  their  places 
of  shelter,  or,  at  least,  disturb  their  aim  very  much  if 
they  ventured  forth. 

The  expedition,  consisting  of  the  launch  and  one 
of  the  cutters,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  G.  W. 
Harrison,  with  acting  Lieutenant  Higgins,  midshipmen 
Lewis  and  Crabb,  acting  boatswain  Collins,  and  forty- 
five  seamen,  having  dropped  their  kedge  as  they 
passed  in,  succeeded  in  boarding  and  cutting  the  chain 
of  the  brig  without  obstruction,  the  ship  having  kept 
up  a  very  heavy  cannonading  on  that  part  of  the  town 
which  commanded  the  brig  and  cove,  and  where  the 
troops  were  stationed. 


1 6  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Finding  the  enemy  made  no  resistance,  and  having 
no  desire  to  bombard  the  town,  save  to  insure  the 
safety  of  the  boats,  I  ordered  the  firing  from  the 
ship  to  cease.  On  the  instant,  the  enemy  rushed 
forth  with  three  hearty  cheers,  and  opened  a  very 
spirited  fire  on  the  brig  and  boats,  with  his  artillery 
and  musketry.  A  few  broadsides  from  the  ship,  with 
a  sharp  return  from  the  brig  and  launch's  gun,  soon 
drove  them  back.  As  the  brig  was  advancing,  and 
the  boats  were  drawing  in  a  line  with  the  ship's  fire,  it 
was  stopped  a  second  time,  but  the  enemy  again  ral 
lied.  A  company  of  Indians  had  succeeded  in  making 
a  circuit,  and  in  opening  a  cross-fire,  which,  with  the 
artillery  from  the  streets,  and  musketry  from  the  houses, 
seemed  heavier  than  the  first  one. 

At  some  hazard  to  our  boats,  the  ship  had  in 
stantly  to  resume  her  fire,  and  such  was  the  rapidity 
and  certainty  with  which  the  shells  were  lodged,  to 
gether  with  the  consternation  produced  by  their  burst 
ing,  that  all  further  resistance  was  effectually  arrested. 
The  brig,  in  the  meantime,  had  been  fired,  but  the 
boats  had  gallantly  held  to  her,  and  getting  her  round 
the  point,  she  was  towed  into  a  cove  abreast  of  the 
ship,  and  was  entirely  consumed. 

I  had  to  deny  my  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Rowan,  the 
usual  privilege  of  commanding  the  boats ;  requiring, 
with  a  very  reduced  number,  his  services  on  board ; 
his  individual  skill,  moreover,  in  throwing  shells  was  of 
the  utmost  importance.  Lieutenant  Harrison's  report 
I  herewith  enclose;  he  speaks  of  all  engaged  with 
him,  but  not  of  himself,  an  omission  which  I  supply 
with  great  pleasure,  by  stating  that  he  evinced  intelli 
gence  and  gallantry,  and  executed  his  orders  in  the 
handsomest  manner. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DUPONT.  I/ 

I  should  have  mentioned,  perhaps,  more  explicitly, 
that  so  soon  as  our  boats  were  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  enemy's  shot,  I  instantly  stopped  firing  upon  the 
town.  I  wrote  to  the  Vice-Consul  of  Spain,  stating 
the  purposes  of  my  visit  having  been  accomplished,  and 
the  Mexican  commander  shown,  by  the  cutting  out  of 
a  Mexican  vessel  within  pistol-shot  of  his  barracks 
and  artillery,  that  my  previous  forbearance  had  arisen 
from  motives  of  -humanity,  and  a  desire  to  save,  so 
far  as  my  duty  would  permit,  the  property  of  neutrals, 
the  inhabitants  could  return,  if  they  thought  fit,  with 
out  fear  of  molestation  from  this  ship. 

Enclosed  are  copies  of  my  correspondence  with  the 
Mexican  commander  and  Vice-Consul  of  Spain  at 
Guaymas. 

I  sailed  from  Guaymas  on  the  Qth,  and  arrived 
at  this  place  on  the  nth  inst. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your 
obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Commander,  United  States  Navy. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane,  October  5th,  1846, 

Harbor  of  Guaymas. 

To  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Mexican  Forces 
in   Guaymas. 

SIR:  —  Your  letter  of  this  date  has  been  received, 
in  which  you  decline  giving  up  the  gunboats,  and  the 
other  Mexican  vessel  in  port.  I  have  to  inform  you 
that  I  shall  take  them  by  force;  and  you  are  hereby 
directed  to  evacuate  the  town  with  all  your  troops  by 
ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  or  I  shall  be  com- 


1 8  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

pelled,  unwillingly,  to  fire  upon  it,  and  the  consequences 
involved  will  rest  with  you.  You  will  please  inform 
me  of  your  decision. 

I   have    the   honor   to   be,  with    great    respect,  your 
obedient   servant, 

S.    F.   Du  PONT, 

Commander  United  States  Ship  Cyane. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane,  October  7th,  1846. 

Harbor  of  Guaymas. 
El  Senor  ECHEVERIA, 

Vice  Consul  of  Her  Majesty  the  Queen  of  Spain. 

SIR  :  —  Your  communication  of  this  date  was  handed 
me  this  morning  by  the  committee  of  neutral  merchants 
of  the  town  of  Guaymas.  I  regretted  extremely  that 
I  could  not  at  the  time  grant  your  request  of  not  firing 
upon  the  town,  the  property  of  which  is  said  to  belong 
almost  exclusively  to  foreigners ;  but  the  purposes  of 
my  visit  having  been  accomplished,  and  the  command 
ing  officer  of  the  Mexican  forces  shown,  by  the 
cutting  out  of  a  Mexican  vessel  within  pistol-shot  of 
his  barracks  and  artillery,  that  my  previous  forbear 
ance  arose  entirely  from  motives  of  humanity,  and  a 
desire  to  save,  so  far  as  my  duty  would  permit,  the 
property  of  neutrals,  I  have  now  to  say  that  I  will 
fire  no  longer  upon  the  town,  and  the  inhabitants,  if 
they  please,  can  return  to  their  homes  and  ordinary 
occupations,  without  fear  of  damage  from  this  ship, 
unless  hostilities  be  provoked  by  the  Mexican  forces; 
in  which  case  they  will  be  resumed. 

I    have   the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully  your 
obedient   servant, 

S.    F.    Du  PONT, 

Commander,  United  States   Navy. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  1 9 

United  States  Ship  Cyane, 

Yerba  Buena,  March  4th,  1847. 

Commodore  W.  BRANFORD  SHUBRICK,  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the   United   States  Naval  Force   in  the   Pacific. 

SIR  :  —  Enclosed  is  an  appeal  to  me  from  the 
Alcalde  of  Sonora  for  protection.  Lieutenant  Harrison, 
whom  I  had  sent  to  Sonora  for  the  public  arms,  agreeably 
to  an  order  from  Captain  Hull,  informs  me  that  con 
siderable  alarm  existed  among  the  people,  not  for  their 
horses  and  cattle  alone,  but  for  themselves.  I  have, 
in  consequence,  determined  to  dispatch  at  once  fifteen 
marines,  and  sailors  sufficient  to  manage  a  field-piece, 
which  I  will  also  send  them.  I  shall  send  word  to 
the  Alcalde  that  the  people  must  organize  themselves 
against  Indian  depredations,  as  heretofore. 

I  regret  extremely  to  be  compelled  to  break  in 
again  upon  the  efficiency  of  my  ship's  company, 
the  more  so  as  a  system  of  irregular  expenses  will 
have  to  be  recommenced.  But,  in  the  absence  of 
General  Kearny,  or  any  other  land  forces',  I  did  not 
feel  at  liberty  to  defer  sending  the  assistance  required. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your 
obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Commander,  United  States  Navy. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane, 

Harbor  of  Monterey,  Sept.  26th,  1847. 

Commodore  W.  BRANFORD  SHUBRICK,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
United  States  Naval  Force  in  the  Pacific. 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  announce  the  arrival 
of  this  ship,  and  to  report  my  proceedings  since  our 
separation. 


2O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  circumstances  of  my  departure  from  off  Mazat- 
lan,  on  the  i$th  of  June,  falling  in  with  the  Portsmouth 
at  San  Jose,  and  consequent  return  to  Mazatlan,  with 
my  ultimate  sailing  from  that  port,  on  the  27th  of  June, 
you  have  been  made  acquainted  with.  My  passage  to 
to  Hilo  (Hawaii)  was  of  nineteen  days ;  the  trade  winds 
were  not  strong,  and  the  weather  lowering;  on  the  6th 
of  July  we  encountered  one  of  the  highest  running 
seas  I  ever  witnessed,  without  sufficient  wind  to  steady 
the  ship,  causing  her  to  roll  so  violently  as  to  endanger 
rigging  and  masts.  I  afterwards  learned  a  hurricane 
had  prevailed  off  Socorro.  Not  a  sail  was  seen  during 
this  passage. 

I  anchored  in  the  Bay  of  Hilo,  on  the  loth  of 
July,  and  remained  there  two  weeks ;  the  crew  were 
greatly  benefited  by  fresh  provisions,  vegetables  and 
fruit,  and  a  tour  or  two  on  shore.  The  weather,  how 
ever,  was  such  as  to  prevent  my  overhauling  the  ship 
in  her  rigging,  which  she  greatly  required.  I  got 
under  way  on  the  2Qth  of  July,  but  the  egress  from 
the  bay  is,  at  times,  very  difficult,  owing  to  calms  and 
a  heavy  in-shore  swell,  so  that  I  did  not  get  clear  of 
the  island  until  the  night  of  the  3ist,  having  to  anchor 
twice  outside  of  the  reef.  No  whale-ship  had  yet 
arrived. 

Passing  along  the  north  side  of  Maui,  I  anchored 
off  Honolulu  on  the  2d  of  August,  and  on  the  3d  en 
tered  the  harbor.  On  the  i$th  of  August,  Her  Majesty's 
ship  Juno  (26),  arrived.  On  the  i6th  the  first  whale- 
ship  came-  in,  followed  by  one  almost  daily  during  the 
remainder  of  my  stay.  They  had  been  retarded  some 
what  later  than  usual  by  the  great  success  of  the  season 
—  most  of  the  ships  having  filled  up.  Agreeably  to 
your  order,  I  enclose  a  list  of  those  met  with. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  21 

Through  the  consul  at  Honolulu,  consular  agent 
at  Lahaina,  and  through  pers'onal  intercourse  with  the 
masters  themselves  of  the  whale-ships,  I  informed  these 
of  the  main  object  of  my  visit  to  the  Islands,  and  of 
your  orddrs  to  me,  to  see  to  their  security  and  protec 
tion  in  every  way  in  my  power.  This  was  highly 
appreciated,  and  the  consul  expressed  throughout  my 
visit  extreme  satisfaction  at  what  he  conceived,  for  many 
reasons,  the  most  opportune  visit  of  the  Cyane,  regret 
ting  only  that  she  or  another  vessel  of  the  squadron 
could  not  be  spared  during  the  whole  refitting  season 
of  the  whaling  fleet.  At  such  times  the  ports  of  the 
Islands  are  crowded  with  several  hundred  ships,  their 
crews  numbering  many  thousand  men ;  these  require 
but  too  often  his  interference  and  control,  rendering 
his  duties  most  difficult  and  arduous.  The  moral 
effect  created  by  the  simple  presence  of  one  of  our 
ships  of  war  would,  in  the  opinion  of  the  consul,  relieve 
him  of  most  of  this,  preserve  order  in  the  harbors, 
prevent  incarceration  in  the  forts  and  prisons  on  shore, 
and  be  greatly  appreciated  by  the  masters  and  owners 
of  the  enormous  amount  of  property  floating  in  these 
ships. 

Besides  the  arrivals  mentioned  above,  not  to  speak 
of  those  from  Oregon  and  California,  there  were  two 
from  China,  one  from  Valparaiso,  and  one  from  the 
Society  Islands.  No  news  or  rumors  of  privateers  was 
brought  by  any  of  these  vessels,  and  I  am  induced 
to  believe  this  ocean  is,  as  yet,  entirely  free  from  them. 

Official  visits  were  interchanged  with  the  Governor 
of  Oahu,  and  the  King's  ministers,  followed  by  the 
most  friendly  and  agreeable  intercourse  during  the 
whole  of  my  stay.  I  believe  the  latter  gentlemen  are 
truly  devoted  to  the  best  interests  and  welfare  of  the 


22  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Hawaiian  nation.  In  their  most  delicate  and  difficult 
task,  that  of  legislating  and  governing  to  the  satisfac 
tion  of  foreigners,  they  are,  in  my  humble  judgment, 
anxiously  desirous  to  be  just  and  rigidly  impartial 
towards  the  subjects  of  all  nations.  Our  consul,  Mr. 
Turrill,  a  gentleman  of  calm  sagacity,  while  vigilant  in 
watching  over  the  interests  committed  to  his  charge, 
had  no  complaint  whatever  to  make  of  the  authorities, 
and  enjoys,  deservedly,  their  highest  confidence.  This 
good  understanding,  I  believe,  was  not  a  little  instru 
mental  in  removing  recently  from  off  the  whale-ships 
all  port  charges,  pilotage,  etc.;  a  saving  of  many  thou 
sand  dollars  to  this  important  American  interest. 

I  shipped,  at  Honolulu,  several  men  who  were  on 
the  consul's  hands  at  Government  expense ;  they  are 
healthy  and  able-bodied. 

The  stores  and  provisions  which  you  directed  the 
storekeeper  to  procure,  I  have  brought  over  with  me, 
with  the  exception  of  the  flour  —  this  article  not  having 
come  down  to  the  price  limited  in  your  order.  While 
in  port  the  ship  was  overhauled,  and  made  as  efficient 
as  the  wear  and  tear  of  two  full  years  of  very  active 
service  would  allow.  Though  mindful  of  your  injunc 
tion  to  be  as  economical  as  possible  in  my  expendi 
tures,  I  find  that  our  disbursements  were  considerable 
for  the  supplies  of  this  ship,  and  the  stores  and  pro 
visions  procured  for  the  squadron.  There  was  nothing 
in  the  Government  storehouse ;  everything  had  to  be 
purchased,  and  nothing  is  cheap  at  the  Islands.  There 
were,  also,  arrears  long  due  the  crew  for  stopped  spirit, 
and  other  rations,  which  I  felt  incumbent  upon  me  to 
pay,  and  they  were  also  allowed  some  money  to  visit 
the  shore  ;  it  was  likewise  the  first  opportunity  offered 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  23 

for  a  long  time  for  the  officers   to    refit    themselves,  and 
they  drew  all    the    money    due   them. 

Though  not  specially  directed  in  my  instructions,  I 
had  proposed  calling  at  Lahaina,  in  the  Island  of 
Maui,  it  being  the  great  resort  of  our  whalers,  but  the 
change  in  the  port  regulations  brought  most  of  them 
to  Honolulu.  News  was  brought,  however,  by  the 
last  arrival,  that  seven  had  anchored  there,  but  the 
same  day  the  Mount  Vernon  had  come  from  San 
Francisco,  bringing  your  declaration  of  blockade,  and 
thinking  the  ship  might  be  wanted  for  other  service, 
sooner  than  was  contemplated  when  I  left  the  coast,  I 
sailed  instantly,  and  shaped  my  course  directly  for  this 
port,  which  I  reached  this  day,  after  a  pleasant  pas 
sage  of  twenty  days. 

I  have  the  honor  -to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully, 
your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Commander,  United  States  Navy. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane, 

Off  San  Jose,  Lower  California,  Feb.  i6th,  1848. 

Commodore  W.  BRANFORD  SHUBRICK,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
United  States  Naval  Force  in  the  Pacific. 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  in 
obedience  to  your  order  of  the  3ist  inst.,  received  at 
La  Paz,  per  Southampton,  I  sailed  with  all  despatch 
to  the  relief  of  Lieutenant  Heywood,  it  being,  moreover, 
evident  from  our  last  news  from  San  Antonio,  that  he 
had  the  whole  enemy's  force  upon  him  at  San  Jose, 
rendering  it  certain  that  the  provisions  I  had  sent  him, 
a  few  days  before,  could  not  have  been  landed. 


24  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Fortunate  in  getting  out  of  the  devious  channel 
of  La  Paz,  without  the  usual  delays  from  grounding,  I 
arrived  here  on  Monday,  the  I4th  inst.,  at  sundown. 

During  our  approach,  the  report  of  artillery  oc 
casionally  reached  us  from  the  cuartel,  over  which,  after 
a  long  and  anxious  gaze,  we  could  make  out  that  our 
flag  was  still  waving. 

This,  however,  was  the  only  cheering  sight;  not  a 
human  being  could  our  glasses  detect  on  top  or  around 
the  cuartel ;  a  Mexican  flag  was  conspicuously  flying 
about  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  immediately  facing 
our  own.  No  messenger  was  seen  approaching  the  bay 
side ;  it  was  evident  the  post  was  closely  besieged. 

The  boats  were  immediately  hoisted  out,  and  prepa 
rations  made  for  landing  all  the  force  we  could  venture 
to  take  out  of  the  ship  at  such  anchorage  as  this.  In 
meantime  night  set  in,  and  the  firing  from  the  cuartel 
had  ceased.  Believing  that  nearly  the  whole  force  of 
the  enemy  would  be  distributed  along  the  road  from 
the  beach  to  the  town,  about  a  mile  and  three-quarters 
in  distance,  offering  every  facility  for  a  most  destructive 
ambuscade  by  night  or  day;  and  reflecting  on  the  dif 
ficulty  of  controlling  the  impetuosity  of  seamen  in  the 
excitement  of  a  night  attack  on  shore,  I  determined 
to  wait  until  daylight  before  landing,  unless  the  cuartel 
should  be  attacked,  in  which  case  we  would  land  at 
all  hazards.  This  was  the  order  for  the  night,  to  us 
a  long  and  anxious  one.  It  was  one  of  still  greater 
anxiety  to  Lieutenant  Heywood,  lest  we  should  land 
and  attempt  the  march  before  day. 

He  had  seen  a  part  of  the  preparations  of  the 
enemy,  admitted  by  himself  (the  enemy)  to  be  300 
strong,  though  rated  at  double  that  number  by  others, 
including  a  company  of  Yaca  Indians  (70)  from  Sonora, 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  2$ 

and  a  company  of  infantry,  Pineda's  veterans,  except 
the  latter  all  finely  mounted,  and  armed  with  lances, 
carbines,  and  rifles.  He  also  was  very  apprehensive, 
even  if  we  should  reach  San  Jose,  about  our  passing 
through  that  portion  of  the  town  occupied  by  the 
enemy,  the  houses  being  looped,  barricaded,  etc.,  and, 
therefore,  with  great  forethought  and  consideration, 
though  pressed  hard  by  the  enemy  as  he  had  been 
for  the  eight  previous  days  and  nights,  refrained  from 
using  his  artillery,  though  he  could  have  done  so  with 
advantage,  that  we  might  remain  in  ignorance  of  the 
contest  going  on,  the  report  of  musketry  not  reaching 
us.  By  daylight  we  were  on  the  beach,  and  that  with 
the  ammunition  dry,  the  surf  being  unusually  low. 
Our  force  consisted  of  89  seamen,  5  marines,  and  8 
officers ;  total,  102.  The  officers  who  landed  with  me 
were  Lieutenants  S.  C.  Rowan  and  George  W.  Harri 
son,  Acting  Master  D.  McN.  Fairfax,  Surgeon  C.  D. 
Maxwell,  and  Midshipmen  E.  Vanderhorst,  E.  Shepherd, 
and  R.  F.  Lewis. 

It  fell  to  Lieutenant  George  L.  Selden's  lot  to  be 
shipkeeper ;  the  loss  of  his  services  on  shore  I  greatly 
regretted ;  and  he  being  the  only  Lieutenant  on  board, 
I  had  also  to  refuse  the  request  of  Mr.  Price,  purser, 
to  accompany  us,  knowing  that  he  would  be  of  great 
service  to  Mr.  Selden,  should  any  serious  disaster  be 
fall  us ;  acting  Lieutenant  MacRae,  with  nine  men,  I 
had  left  at  La  Paz  to  fit  out  a  small  craft  to  inter 
cept  the  communication  between  Sonora  and  the  pe 
ninsula.  He  had,  as  you  are  aware,  some  days  before, 
at  great  personal  hazard,  succeeded  in  communicating 
with  Lieutenant  Heywood,  and  the  information  then 
obtained  and  reported  to  you  by  him,  led  to  your 
timely  orders  to  this  ship. 


26  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

We  marched  in  two  companies,  double  file,  the 
small  field-piece  (3  pounder)  dragged  by  hand,  guarded 
by  the  small  fraction  left  us  of  our  marine  guard. 
Soon  after  leaving  the  beach,  the  firing  commenced 
on  our  right  from  bushes,  etc.,  and  horsemen  began 
to  appear  in  the  few  open  spaces  about  us.  Looking 
back  to  the  ship,  I  found  one  of  the  pre-arranged 
signals  already  flying,  that  the  enemy  was  in  full  force 
in  our  front.  From  this  time  a  sharp  fire  was  kept  up 
on  our  flank  and  rear,  from  the  different  covers  along 
the  whole  line  of  road.  Our  general  procedure  was, 
when  the  glimpse  of  an  enemy  was  caught  by  any 
one  in  the  file,  he  should  step  out  a  pace,  fire,  and 
fall  in  again.  When  the  fire  upon  us  seemed  concen 
trated,  and  was  specially  annoying,  the  two  companies 
would  face  alternately  to  the  right  or  left,  and  pour 
in  a  volley.  On  approaching  the  mound  on  which 
stands  the  hamlet  of  San  Vicente,  we  found  it  occupied 
by  the  enemy  in  considerable  force,  and  who  presented 
a  somewhat  formidable  array;  but  moving  steadily  on, 
though  still  annoyed  as  before  on  our  right,  and  rising 
the  hill,  a  discharge  from  the  field-piece,  followed  by 
a  few  well  directed  volleys,  drove  him  before  us,  and 
into  the  bushes  again.  After  passing  through  the 
hamlet  of  some  twelve  buildings,  and  descending  from 
it  to  cross  the  arroyo,  half  knee-deep,  the  enemy  closed 
on  our  rear  again,  and  occupied  the  mound  and  huts, 
and  his  fire  was  rather  hot;  but  halting  and  sending 
back  a  volley  or  two,  we  got  rid  of  him  then  again.  On 
passing  a  field  of  well-grown  sugar-cane,  we  got  it 
again,  and  even  still  warmer,  a  little  farther  on,  from 
a  long  row  of  bananas  and  plantains.  The  fire  of  the 
enemy  was  well  sustained  throughout,  but,  with  some 
exceptions,  he  always  overshot,  his  balls  passing  just 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  2/ 

over  the  heads  of  our  little  column.  In  was  an  ani 
mating  scene,  and  presented  some  points  of  peculiar 
interest ;  from  the  ship,  particularly  from  aloft,  our 
progress  could  be  distinctly  followed  throughout,  to 
gether  with  the  whole  operations  of  the  enemy,  so 
much  concealed  from  us.  I  had  directed  Lieutenant 
Selden,  so  long  as  the  enemy  continued  within  reach 
of  the  32-pounders  and  8-inch  shell  guns,  to  give  us 
all  the  assistance  he  could,  if  we  should  need  it; 
though  eagerly  on  the  watch  to  do  so,  friend  and  foe 
seemed  to  him  too  much  in  contact  to  hazard  such 
support. 

You  can  imagine,  sir,  the  intense  sympathy  with 
which  our  advance  was  watched  by  our  friends  on 
board,  burning  to  be  with  us.  They  drew  a  long 
breath  for  us  on  our  ascending  the  mound  of  San 
Vicente,  where  the  enemy  seemed  to  them  most  ad 
vantageously  posted.  After  passing  San  Vicente,  our 
shipmates  thought  we  were  through  the  worst,  though 
persuaded  many  of  us  must  have  fallen. 

To  Lieutenant  Heywood,  however,  and  his  gallant 
band,  who,  from  the  cuartel,  commanded  a  still  better 
view,  and  who  had  been  watching  us  with  deep  and 
fraternal  solicitude,  it  seemed  that  we  were  more  and 
more  pressed  as  we  approached.  Our  volleys,  the  ef 
fect  of  which  he  could  see,  while  we  could  not,  alone 
gave  him  some  confidence ;  and  though  the  enemy  still 
had  a  detachment  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  anx 
ious  too  about  leaving  his  sick  and  wounded  exposed 
even  for  a  moment,  placing  himself  at  the  head  of  his 
garrison,  brushed  out  the  looped  houses  from  which  he 
had  been  so  annoyed,  killing  one  man,  and  sallied  out 
of  the  town  to  our  support ;  fortunately  we  needed  it 
not,  and  just  as  he  emerged  from  the  last  cover  of 


28  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

the  enemy,  who  had  redoubled  his  efforts,  but  in  vain 
(our  volleys  always  driving  him  back),  the  parties  met 
only  to  exchange  a  cordial  greeting. 

Our  friends  could  scarcely  credit  that  we  had  not 
left  many  of  our  number  on  the  road  ;  four  only  were 
struck,  and  of  these  two  only  were  disabled.  The  two 
parties  united  now  marched  into  San  Jose ;  a  small 
body  of  the  enemy,  which  had  clung  to  it  with  much 
tenacity,  retreated  to  the  hillsides  southward.  There 
was  no  cavalry  in  that  direction,  and  but  little  danger 
to  stragglers,  and  Midshipman  Vanderhorst  was  allowed 
with  a  small  party  to  follow  him.  The  enemy  showed 
a  good  deal  of  spirit,  and  more  cunning  than  his  pur 
suers  in  'availing  himself  of  the  nature  of  the  ground 
for  cover,  etc.,  but  after  this  little  skirmish  he  was 
driven  over  the  crest  of  the  hill.  The  parties  were 
then  called  in,  bringing  with  them  two  prisoners  (one 
wounded^  two  or  three  mules,  a  lance  or  two,  guidon, 
etc.,  articles  calculated  to  please  sailors. 

A  few  scattered  detachments  of  the  enemy,  how 
ever,  still  lingered  in  the  valley,  but  their  stay  was 
short.  The  ship  now  performed  her  part ;  and  Lieuten 
ant  Selden,  no*  longer  afraid  of  hurting  his  friends,  as 
sisted  by  Mr.  Price  and  Midshipman  Allmand,  opened 
upon  different  squads  with  shot  and  shell.  One  of 
the  latter,  passing  over  San  Vicente  with  a  wonder 
ful  range,  burst  over  the  heads  of  a  large  party. 
The  valley  was  cleared,  the  enemy  dispersed,  and  the 
communication  between  the  town  and  ship  re-estab 
lished.  The  enemy  fell  back  to  his  camp  at  Los 
Animas,  but  broke  up  in  the  night  and  retreated  to 
San  Jose  Viejo,  two  leagues  up  the  valley. 

The  officers  and  men  more  than  sustained  the 
reputation  they  have  earned  during  their  long  service 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT. 


29 


in  this  ship,  now  over  two  and  a  half  years.  It  was 
difficult  at  first  to  prevent  the  men  rushing  into  the 
covers  after  their  foe,  where  doubtless,  doing  havoc  at 
first,  they  would  soon  have  separated,  and  been  ridden 
over  and  speared  to  a  man.  I  am  greatly  indebted 
to  Lieutenant  Rowan,  my  able  adviser  and  invaluable 
executive  officer,  and  to  Lieutenant  Harrison,  for  their 
earnest  and  judicious  exertions  to  prevent  this,  upon 
which  our  success  depended.  Our  field-piece,  though 
so  small,  was  too  weakly  manned;  but  owing  to  the 
great  exertions  of  Acting-Master  Fairfax,  aiding  to  drag 
it  himself  through  the  sands,  and  across  the  arroyo, 
was  always  in  time  to  do  good  service. 

The  midshipmen,  Messrs.  Vanderhorst,  Shepherd, 
and  Lewis,  vied  with  their  seniors  in  coolness  and 
zeal ;  the  first,  my  aid,  more  under  my  own  eye, 
greatly  pleased  me  by  his  cool  and  quick  observation. 
To  Doctor  Maxwell,  ever  zealous,  and  ahead  recon 
noitring,  I  was  indebted  for  several  timely  suggestions 
about  the  nature  of  the  ground,  etc.  Quickly,  after 
our  arrival,  extracting  a  ball  from  one  of  our  wounded 
men,  Isaac  Watson  (O.  S.),  and  dressing  the  other, 
W.  Eaton  (O.  S.),  he  was  off  among  the  skirmishers 
on  the  hillside,  and  soon  among  the  advance  party. 
Before  closing  this  report,  already  too  long,  I  cannot 
deny  myself  the  satisfaction  of  adding  my  humble  tri 
bute  of  commendation  to  the  conduct  of  the  garrison, 
and  its  commander,  Lieutenant  Heywood.  Invested  for 
twenty-one  days,  and  closely  besieged  for  nine,  his 
provisions  at  the  lowest  ebb,  fever  and  dysentery  pre 
vailing  within,  his  wounded  lying  in  its  midst,  two 
valuable  officers,  Passed-Midshipman  Duncan  and  War- 
ley,  cut  off  and  prisoners,  women  and  children  crowd 
ing  his  cuartels  and  consuming  his  supplies,  two  of 


30  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

his  California  allies  deserting  to  the  enemy,  and  greatly 
dispiriting  those  who  remained,  the  enemy  himself  oc 
cupying  the  church,  and  other  buildings  as  strong  as 
his  own,  six  times  his  number,  and  fighting  him  eight 
successive  days  and  nights,  he  was  indomitable.  Nor 
was  this  all :  two  excellent  breastworks,  thrown  up  in 
the  night,  brought  a  cross-fire  on  his  water,  and  was 
near  cutting  it  off  effectually.  A  well  was  instantly 
commenced,  and  progress  made  against  great  obstruc 
tions.  Then  came  another  blow,  the  sorest  of  all, — his 
gallant,  unflinching,  devoted  second  in  command,  Passed- 
Midshipman  Tenant  McLanahan,  of  this  ship,  was  killed 
by  a  rifle-shot  in  the  neck  (surviving  only  two  hours 
after  the  wound),  in  the  main  cuartel  (Mission  House), 
on  the  nth  of  February.  This  left  him  Passed-Mid- 
shipman  G.  A.  Stevens  (Independence),  for  his  only 
officer,  who  zealously  exerted  himself  to  meet  such 
emergency ;  for  even  his  brave  and  valuable  volunteer 
aid,  Mr.  Eugene  Gillespie,  was  among  the  fever  pa 
tients.  Knowing  your  anxious  desire  that  our  flag 
should  wave  wherever  once  hoisted,  and  also  your  deep 
solicitude  about  the  post  of  San  Jose,  it  gives  me 
pleasure  to  be  able  to  assure  you  of  the  security  of 
both.  What  means  should  be  adopted  to  put  down, 
effectually,  this  movement  in  Lower  California,  so  de 
structive  to  the  property  of  its  best  people  (our  friends), 
I  will  endeavor  to  suggest  in  another  report. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy,  of  course,  is  all  conjec 
ture;  the  numbers  reported  by  the  friendly  Califor- 
nians,  range  from  13  to  35  killed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your 
obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Commander,  United   States   Navy. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  31 

P.  S. —  February  22,  1848.  —  We  are  provisioning 
the  garrison,  but  the  progress  is  slow,  and  labor  heavy. 
We  have  no  animals  (three  mules  excepted).  I  think 
it  prudent  yet  to  send  escorts  of  fifty  men  with  the 
trains,  two  per  day.  The  surf  is  high,  and  sometimes 
dangerous;  our  boats  are  knocked  to  pieces,  but  the 
work  goes  cheerily  on.  Lieutenant  Heywood's  report 
is  herewith  forwarded. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane, 
Off  San  Jose,  Lower  California,  March  25th,  1848. 

Commodore  W.  BRANFORD  SHUBRICK,   Commander-in-Chief 

of  the   United   States   Naval   Force  in 

the   Pacific. 

SIR  : — I  returned,  last  evening,  from  an  expedition 
to  Sant  Anita,  having  taken  seventy  men  from  this 
ship,  with  thirty  from  the  cuartel  under  Lieutenant 
Heywood,  a  body  of  the  enemy  having  been  repre 
sented  as  encamped  there,  about  130  strong,  including 
the  Indians,  and  the  distance  from  us,  about  eleven 
miles,  likely  to  make  him  careless,  I  thought  he  might 
be  surprised,  at  all  events,  broken  up. 

Every  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  information 
reaching  him,  and  the  march  was  noiselessly  performed 
between  eleven  at  night  and  half  past  two  in  the 
morning,  avoiding  those  portions  of  the  route  whence 
information  might  be  given  of  our  approach.  By  day 
light  we  closed  around  the  place ;  but  the  enemy, 
warned  by  an  Indian  spy,  who  had  been  in  San  Jose, 
escaped  us.  Otherwise,  everything  had  been  so  fortu 
nately  conducted,  and  he  having  been,  as  I  had  sus 
pected,  even  without  sentries,  we  should  have  captured 
the  whole  party. 


32  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  Yacas,  on  getting  the  information  in  the  even 
ing,  left  instantly.  Navarette  left  later  in  the  night. 
Their  camp  fires  were  still  burning.  A  forge  where 
their  arms  were  repaired  was  destroyed,  and  the  ar 
morer  made  prisoner.  After  a  few  hours'  rest  we  re 
turned,  taking  San  Bernabe,  San  Jose  Viejo,  and  Ro- 
sario  in  our  way,  thus  scouring  the  whole  valley. 
Though  not  attended  with  any  capture  or  loss  to  the 
enemy,  he  has  thus  been  driven  from  this  valley  for 
many  miles,  his  depredations  stopped,  and  the  moral 
effect,  altogether,  important. 

From  our  best  information,  he  has  fallen  back  to 
Santiago,  sixteen  leagues,  much  broken  and  reduced  in 
numbers.  Navarette  is  said  now  to  be  commander-in- 
chief,  Pineda  having  been  badly  wounded  in  a  quarrel 
with  one  of  his  officers,  Manuel  Castro,  who  cut  one  of 
his  hands  nearly  off. 

We  had  expected  some  warm  work,  the  country 
through  which  we  passed  offering  the  enemy  such  ad 
vantages,  but  he  seems,  for  some  reason,  not  to  have 
availed  himself  this  time  of  them. 

The  officers,  who  were  along,  were  Lieutenant  Hey- 
wood,  Rowan,  Selden,  and  Acting- Lieutenant  McRae, 
Dr.  Maxwell,  Passed-Midshipman  Warley,  and  Midship 
men  Vanderhorst  and  Allmand.  A  videt  advance  of 
guides  and  Californians  was  under  Mr.  Gillespie,  with 
Captain  Ripley,  volunteer.  It  was  as  fine  a  detachment 
of  this  kind  as  I  have  ever  seen. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your 
obedient  servant, 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Commander,  United  States  Navy. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  33 

United  States  Ship  Cyane, 
Off  San  Jose,   California,   March  3oth,   1848. 

Lieutenant  GEO.  L.  SELDEN, 

United  States   Ship   Cyane: 

SIR  : — You  will  take  the  command  of  a  party  of 
mounted  men,  to  be  selected  from  this  ship  and  the 
Cuartel,  for  the  purpose  of  scouring  the  valley  of  San 
Jose  as  far  up  as  Santiago,  about  fifteen  leagues  dis 
tant. 

The  general  object  of  this  expedition  will  be  to 
examine  the  haciendas  and  ranches,  to  collect  arms, 
which  portions  of  the  enemy,  who  have  been  disbanded 
or  deserted,  may  have  taken  to  their  homes.  The  late 
Alcalde  of  Santiago,  with  other  allies  from  that  district, 
are  desirous  of  going  to  their  homes.  You  will  take 
all  such  with  you.  You  will  ascertain  if  the  people 
there  are  friendly,  as  represented  by  their  allies.  You 
will,  from  that  point',  be  able  to  get  correct  informa 
tion,  in  all  probability,  of  the  number,  position,  and 
condition  of  the  enemy ;  whether  he  has  actually  dis 
persed,  as  represented,  or  only  removed  his  headquar 
ters  farther  into  the  interior.  There  seems  little  doubt 
that  he  has  fallen  back  to  Todos  Santos ;  but  whether 
to  remain  there,  or  is  merely  passing  through  to  Mu- 
lege,  by  the  coast  road,  is  not  yet  determined. 

Be  this  as  it  may,,  you  will  relax  no  measure  of 
vigilance  on  your  march  —  camping  properly,  placing 
sentries,  guarding  the  cavallada,  using  every  care  against 
surprise.  On  reaching  every  hacienda  or  rancho, 
where  you  may  stop,  immediate  search  must  be  made 
for  mescal,  and  precaution  taken  that  it  be  not  sold 
to  your  men.  Be  vigilant  and  vigorous  about  strag 
glers.  Examine  well  the  rancho  Viego,  where  some 

3 


34  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Mexican  officers  are  said  to  have  slept  since  their 
troops  broke  up  and  left  this  valley,  after  our  expedi 
tion  to  Sant  Anita. 

The  rancho  of  the  Palma  montanos  examine  care 
fully ;  these  people  are  relatives  of  Angelo,  one  of  the 
enemy's  chiefs.  It  is  said  that  the  horses  and  cattle 
of  this  rancho  have  been  spared  by  the  enemy,  while 
those  of  our  allies  and  friends  have  been  much  plun 
dered.  You  will  take  horses  from  the  rancho  of  the 
Palma  in  preference,  giving  receipts,  however.  Do  not 
slaughter  more  cattle  than  necessary  for  your  consump 
tion  ;  and  you  will  conform  to  the  practice  which  has 
always  prevailed  in  our  naval  expeditions  on  these 
coasts,  to  treat  the  people  kindly,  paying  for  what  you 
get.  Where  you  have  to  incommode,  or  use  arbitrary 
measures,  discriminate  all  you  can  in  favor  of  those 
who  have  been  friendly  to  our  cause. 

If  you  meet  the  Padre  Gabriel,  treat  him  respect 
fully,  and  bring  him  in.  It  is  probable  that  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Burton  is  in  the  field,  and  you  may  meet 
or  hear  from  him ;  if  a  delay  of  a  few  days  would 
assist  him  in  any  combined  movement,  and  he  should 
desire  your  co-operation,  and  your  own  judgment  ap 
prove,  you  can  remain;  otherwise,  I  shall  expect  you 
back  in  three  days.  My  present  information  will  not 
justify  my  sending  you  further  than  Santiago.  I  rely 
upon  your  judgment  and  discretion  not  to  expose  your 
command  to  any  hazards  that  would  not  be  justified 
by  some  commensurate  result.  Horses  and  saddles  are, 
or  will  be,  collected  by  to-morrow,  sufficient  to  mount 
forty  of  our  people,  with  ten  or  twelve  of  the  best 
California  volunteers,  valuable  aids  to  a  mounted  party. 

The  officers  who  go  with  you  are  Acting-Lieu 
tenant  MacRae,  Doctor  Maxwell,  Acting-Master  Fairfax, 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT. 


35 


Passed-Midshipmen    Stevens    and    Warley,    Midshipman 
Vanderhorst,   and    Mr.    Ripley,   volunteer. 

Require  them  to  be  vigilant ;  careful  of  the  men ; 
remind  them  that  no  reports  of  the  broken  condition 
of  the  enemy  will  justify  any  neglect  of  discipline  or 
watchfulness,  or  you  may  all  pay  dearly  for  it.  Keep 
the  men  from  straggling. 

Very   respectfully,   your   obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Commander,  United  States  Navy. 


United  States  Ship  Cyane, 
Off  San  Jose,   Lower   California,  April  6th,  1848. 

Commodore  W.  BRANFORD  SHUBRICK,   Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  United  States   Naval  Force  in  the 
Pacific,  Mazatlan  : 

SIR  :  —  Lieutenant  Selden  returned  yesterday  from 
an  expedition  to  the  rich  and  populous  district  of  San 
tiago,  some  fifteen  or  sixteen  leagues  up  the  valley  of 
San  Jose,  where  he  had  been  with  a  party  of  mounted 
men. 

The  effect  of  the  expedition  was  most  salutary  and 
cheering  to  the  people,  who  have  proved  themselves 
all  that  we  had  heard  —  very  friendly  to  our  cause ; 
the  Alcalde  of  Miraflores  returning  with  the  party. 
Twenty-three  prisoners  were  taken,  some  with  their 
arms,  others  without ;  among  them,  the  most  important 
of  the  leaders,  whose  capture  will  have  a  material 
effect  in  preventing  future  outbreaks,  Don  Mauricio 
Castro,  Gefe  Politico,  and  commander-in-chief  since  the 
resignation  of  the  latter  office  by  Pineda.  He  is  now 
on  board  this  ship.  The  other  prisoners,  with  those 


36  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

previously  taken,  numbering  over  thirty  in  all,  are  at 
the  Cuartel. 

The  enemy,  having  been  driven  from  this  valley 
by  our  expedition  of  the  23d  and  24th  ult,  fell  back 
upon  Todos  Santos,  some  twenty  leagues  beyond  San 
tiago,  where,  Colonel  Burton  coming  upon  him,  he  was 
again  totally  dispersed,  the  particulars  of  which  we  have 
not,  but  learn  a  few  shots  were  exchanged. 

It  was  after  this  that  Castro,  in  retreating  to  the 
coast,  was  picked  up  by  our  party.  The  enemy  is 
entirely  broken  up,  a  result  which  it  gives  me  pleas 
ure  to  inform  you  of. 

I  am  in  hopes  Colonel  Burton  will  pass  this 
way,  that  arrangements  may  be  made  for  his  receiv 
ing  from  us  the  post  of  San  Jose,  that  the  officers, 
marines,  and  sailors,  who  so  long  defended  it  against 
all  odds,  may  once  more  rejoin  their  ships,  agreeably 
to  your  wish. 

Some  judicious  action  will  be  required  to  prevent 
great  future  evil  to  that  portion  (large)  of  the  people 
of  this  territory,  who  have  been  friendly  to  us,  and 
who  have  suffered  much  in  consequence.  When  the 
forces  return  to  their  garrisons,  the  enemy,  m  small 
guerilla  parties,  will  again  fall  upon  and  plunder  the 
rancheros,  who  are  without  a  single  arm.  If  some 
arms  could  be  given  them  they  would  willingly  un 
dertake  to  keep  down  these  parties.  But  the  best 
course  would  be  to  mount  a  small  force,  for  which 
we  could  enlist  any  number  of  most  efficient  Califor 
nia  volunteers,  who,  by  moving  through  the  country, 
would  keep  all  quiet. 

Should  Lower  California  not  be  included  in  the 
treaty  of  peace,  I  fear  lamentable  consequences  will  en 
sue,  out  of  this  war,  to  its  best  people,  for  their 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  37 

friendly  disposition  to  us.  Wholly  indifferent  to  Mexico 
proper,  and  its  central  government,  as  the  latter  has 
been  to  them,  they  have  every  reason  to  wish  to  be 
come  a  portion  of  the  United  States ;  and  it  will  be 
a  sad  disappointment  to  them  if  they  do  not  Be  this 
as  it  may,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  those  persons  who 
have  suffered  so  much  in  property,  because  they  stood 
by  the  American  cause,  will  be  liberally  dealt  with  by 
the  Government. 

P.  S. — April  /th. — Lieutenant  Halleck  arrived,  last 
evening,  with  a  party  of  thirty  mounted  men,  by  the 
lower  route  from  Todos  Santos.  At  the  encounter 
with  the  enemy,  near  the  last  mentioned  place,  the 
Yaques  made  a  short  stand,  long  enough  to  have  nine 
or  ten  of  their  number  killed.  Colonel  Burton  has  re 
turned  to  La  Paz.  The  Southampton  will  bring  down 
Captain  Naglee's  company.  Allowing  for  the  usual  de 
lays,  I  hope  to  join  you  with  the  Southampton  by 
the  ist  of  May;  Colonel  Burton  requiring  only  a  small 
despatch  vessel,  which  I  will  fit  out  for  him  (the 
Rosita),  and  have  directed  her  to  be  sent  down  at 
once  from  La  Paz.  I  will  give  her  in  charge  to  Passed- 
Midshipman  Warley,  or  Stevens.  8th. — Lieutenant  Hal 
leck  left  for  La  Paz  this  morning ;  I  have  sent  a 
party,  mostly  Californians,  to  escort  him  as  far  as  San 
tiago,  under  Lieutenant  MacRae  and  Doctor  Maxwell 
and  Midshipman  Allmand,  to  pick  up  more  stragglers. 
April  Qth. — I  perceive  some  vessel  passing  on  her  way 
to  Mazatlan,  and  will  attempt  to  cut  her  off  and  send 
this  communication  by  her. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  with  great  respect, 
your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Commander,  United  States  Navy. 


3  8  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES 

Near  Wilmington,   Del.,  November  ad,   1848. 

Hon.   S.  Y.   MASON,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  your  communication  of  the  3<Dth  of  October, 
enclosing  the  report  of  Commodore  Sloat,  on  the  con 
dition  of  the  Cyane,  on  her  arrival  at  Norfolk,  under 
my  command. 

To  an  officer  whose  goal  of  ambition  is  to  do  his 
duty,  to  stand  well  with  his  profession,  and  justify  the 
confidence  of  the  Executive  who  may  employ  him,  it 
must  be  a  source  of  high  gratification  to  find  his  con 
duct  approved. 

The  approbation  of  the  Department  is  gratefully 
acknowledged,  and  will  be  highly  appreciated  by  the 
officers  and  crew  late  of  the  Cyane. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  with  great  respect, 
your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT. 


OFFICIAL    DISPATCHES 

—  OF  — 

ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 

WAR  OF  THE  REBELLION. 

Washington,   Sept.   18,   1861. 

To   Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  the  Department's  order  of  this  date,  appointing  me 
to  command  the  Southern  Atlantic  Blockading  Squad 
ron.  This  mark  of  confidence,  with  its  grave  respon 
sibilities,  was  not  looked  for  by  me,  but  with  God's 
support  and  direction,  I  trust  I  shall  not  disappoint 
the  Department. 

The  order  of  to-day  was  doubtless  intended  to 
give  vigor  to  the  execution  of  the  Department's  pre 
vious  instructions  to  me ;  and  I  avail  myself  of  this 
occasion  to  offer  a  suggestion  in  reference  to  the  ex 
peditions  ordered  by  the  Department,  which  may  aid 
in  giving  them  such  efficiency  as  circumstances  will 
permit. 

On  the  Southern  Atlantic  coast,  the  Department 
is  aware  that  these  expeditions  cannot  have  the  cover 
ing  support  of  our  great  steam  frigates,  as  at  Hat- 
teras ;  and  while  the  ships  purchased  and  converted 

39 


40  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

into  ships-of-war  by  the  remarkable  energy  of  the  De 
partment  are  of  the  utmost  value,  not  only  for  block 
ading,  but  attacking,  it  would  be  very  desirable  that 
these  should  not  be  the  first  to  come  under  fire  of 
the  forts ;  not  so  much  because  their  guns  are  lighter, 
but  owing  to  their  very  light  scantling, — a  point 
which  the  practical  knowledge  of  the  Assistant  Secre 
tary  will  fully  appreciate. 

If  the  Department,  therefore,  can  spare  me  for  a 
short  time  the  Pawnee,  Iroquois,  Seminole,  and  Mo 
hican,  carrying  as  they  do  eleven-inch  guns,  with  the 
three  or  four  gunboats  which  I  earnestly  trust  will 
be  finished  in  time,  we  shall  have  a  force  calculated 
to  stand  the  brunt  of  the  first  attack  from  the  forts. 

So  soon  as  the  expeditions  are  through,  these  valu 
able  vessels  can  be  apportioned  to  the  different  squad 
rons,  as  the  Department  may  deem  best;  remarking 
only,  that  the  general  composition  of  the  Southern 
Atlantic  Squadron  should  be  of  vessels  of  light  draft. 

On  the  receipt  of  my  first  orders,  the  Department 
kindly  promised  that  a  special  battalion  of  three  hun 
dred  marines  should  be  attached  to  my  command ;  and 
the  Colonel  Commandant  of  the  corps  received  orders 
accordingly.  Will  the  Department  please  renew  its 
order,  in  view  of  the  very  short  time  left  us  now  to 
be  ready. 

With  great  respect,  I  am,  sir,  faithfully,  your  obe 
dient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Captain  Commanding  Southern  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DUPONT.  41 

BLOCKADING    INSTRUCTIONS. 
General  Order  No.  i. 

Commanding  officers  of  blockading  vessels  under 
my  command  are  to  be  governed  by  the  following 
rules : 

ist.  —  Duly  notify  neutrals  of  the  declaration  of 
blockade,  and  give  to  it  all  the  publicity  in  your 
power. 

2d. —  The   blockade  must   be    strict   and    absolute ; 

and   only   public   armed  vessels    of   foreign   powers   are 

to  be  permitted  to  enter  the  ports   which   are   placed   in 
a   state   of  blockade. 

3d.  —  Protect  our  commerce  from  the  depredations 
of  privateers ;  and  as'  a  matter  of  course,  capture 
them  and  all  other  vessels  of  the  enemy,  whenever 
you  can  do  so  without  being  seduced  away  from  your 
station. 

4th.  —  A  lawful  maritime  blockade  requires  the 
presence  of  an  adequate  force  stationed  at  the  entrance 
of  the  port,  sufficiently  near  to  prevent  communication. 
The  only  exception  to  this  rule  arises  out  of  the  oc 
casional  temporary  absence  of  the  blockading  vessels, 
produced  by  accident,  as  in  the  case  of  a  storm,  which 
does  not  suspend  the  legal  operation  of  a  blockade ; 
and  to  take  advantage  of  such  an  accidental  absence 
is  a  fraudulent  attempt  to  break  the  blockade,  and  will 
justify  the  application  of  penalties. 

5th. — A  neutral  or  foreign  vessel,  proceeding  to 
ward  the  entrance  of  a  blockaded  port,  is  not  to  be 
captured  or  detained,  if  she  shall  not  have  previously 
received,  from  one  of  the  blockading  squadron,  a  spe- 


42  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

cial  notification  of  the  existence  of  the  blockade.  This 
notification  must  be  inserted,  in  writing,  on  the  regis 
ter  and  muster-roll  of  the  neutral  vessel,  by  the  cruiser 
which  meets  her ;  and  it  should  contain  the  announce 
ment,  together  with  statements  of  the  day  and  the 
latitude  and  longitude  in  which  it  was  made. 

6th.  —  Until  the  ports  are  closed  by  proclamation 
(that  is,  declared  to  be  no  longer  ports  of  entry),  the 
warning  just  mentioned  is  to  be  continued  to  all  ves 
sels,  instead  of  capturing  at  once,  as  will  be  the  case 
when  they  come  to  be  so  closed. 

7th. —  Vessels  leaving  guarded  insurgent  ports  with 
out  legal  clearances,  are  to  be  seized  and  sent  in  for 
adjudication.  If  it  be  claimed  that  there  is  not  an  ef 
fective  blockade,  and  therefore  that  they  are  entitled 
to  depart,  still  they  must  not  disregard  our  municipal 
laws,  and  the  requirements  of  the  National  Govern 
ment.  If  they  do  they  incur  the  penalties,  and  are 
subject  to  the  forfeitures,  which  the  laws  impose. 

8th.  —  Vessels  with  contraband  goods  on  board, 
approaching  any  of  the  blockaded  ports,  or  vessels 
that  may  have  cleared  for  any  of  those  ports,  or  be 
found,  with  a  due  warning  on  their  papers,  hovering 
about  any  of  them,  are  all  to  be  seized  and  sent  in 
for  adjudication. 

Respectfully,   your  obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

October  24th,  1861.  Flag   Officer,   etc. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT. 


43 


Steam   Frigate  Wabash,   New  York,   Oct.   i6th,   1861. 

To   Hon.   GIDEON  WELLES, 

Secretary  of  the   Navy : 

SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Department 
what  I  have  already  done  briefly  by  telegraph,  that  I 
despatched  last  night,  in  a  very  short  time  after  receiv 
ing  your  message,  the  steamer  James  Adger,  Com 
mander  Marchand,  and  the  steamer  Curlew,  Acting- 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Watmough,  in  pursuit  of  the 
steamer  Nashville,  said  to  have  run  the  blockade  of 
Charleston  with  Messrs.  Mason  and  Slidell  on  board. 

The  Adger  will  run  across  to  the  Channel  ;  and 
if,  as  I  think,  the  Nashville  will  run  a  long  time  be 
fore  venturing  to  make  her  northing,  the  difference  of 
time  may  be  overcome. 

The  Curlew  has  attempted  an  intersection  at  a 
point  indicated  by  the  shortness  of  her  fuel,  for  she 
carries  but  eight  days'  supply,  and  I  have  ordered  her 
back  to  Hampton  Roads ;  also  the  Adger. 

Both  vessels  have  orders  to  look  out  for  the 
steamers  expected  from  Europe  to  the  rebel  States ; 
and  this  induced  me  in  part  to  send  the  Curlew,  for 
her  chance  is  small,  I  fear,  of  crossing  the  Nashville. 

The  Department  will  readily  believe  I  feel  strong 
regrets  at  losing  two  good  ships,  so  well  commanded  as 
these,  from  my  squadron ;  but  whether  successful  in 
the  chase  or  not,  I  deemed  it  important  to  show,  if 
the  blockade  could  be  run,  that  prompt  measures  could 
be  directed  in  reference  thereto,  which  I  was  sure  the 
Department  greatly  desired. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


44  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Hampton   Roads,   Oct.  26th,   1861. 

To  Commander  FRANCIS  S.  HAGGERTY,  United  States  Navy, 
United  States  Ship  Vandalia,   Hampton   Roads : 

SIR  : — The  duty  is  hereby  assigned  to  you  of  con 
voying  to  the  place  of  rendezvous  the  coal  and  pow 
der  ships  belonging  to  the  squadron,  and  to  the  trans 
ports  composing  this  expedition.  The  armed  barque 
The  Gem  of  the  Sea,  of  the  volunteer  navy,  will  as 
sist  in  this  duty ;  and  Captain  Baxter  is  ordered  to 
report  to  you,  accordingly,  and  wait  your  specific  in 
structions. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  vessels  placed  under 
your  convoy  : 

Brig   Belle   of  the    Bay,      ] 

Barque  Jane   A.    Bishop,  .  , 

n  , M       J    „,  belonging   to  the 

Schooner   Western   Star,      \ 
Brig  E.    P.  Stuart,  squadron. 

Ship    Courier, 

COAL    SHIPS    FOR    TRANSPORT. 

Aid,   schooner,  Saratoga, 

Charles    McNeal,  Rachel    S.  Miller, 

N.   E.  Clark,  Lewis    Chester, 

Susan   T.    Abbott,  Sarah    Cullen, 

E.    F.  Allen,  J.    Frambes, 

J.   M.   Vance,  J.    S.    Hewitt, 

W.    G.   Audenried,  Snowflake, 

Sarah   J.   Bright,  James    Satterthwaite, 

Elizabeth    English,  Willard   Saulsbury, 

Effort,  D.    Molany. 

You  will  proceed  to  sea  with  the  first  fair  wind, 
and  make  the  best  of  your  way  to  the  port  designated 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  45 

in   the   enclosed   confidential    communication,   which  you 
will    not   open    until   after   passing   Cape    Henry. 

It  affords  me  pleasure  to  say  that,  in  consequence 
of  our  necessarily  slow  movements,  you  will,  provided 
you  use  despatch,  arrive  in  time  to  take  part  in  the 
operations  of  the  fleet. 

You  will  please  instruct  the  freight  vessels  in 
your  convoy  to  make  for  Savannah,  Georgia,  if  sepa 
rated  from  your  pendant. 

Respectfully,   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Hampton   Roads,   Oct.,   29th,   1861. 

To  A.   D.   BACHE,   LL.  D., 

Superintendent  of  United   States  Coast  Survey, 
Washington : 

SIR  : — It  affords  me  pleasure  to  inform  you  that 
Mr.  Boutelle  reached  this  place  yesterday  morning,  in 
good  time. 

Mr.  Boutelle  handed  me  his  instructions,  and  I 
have  to  thank  you  for  the  regard  paid  in  them  to 
my  own  wishes,  and  to  the  duties  of  that  branch  of 
the  public  service  placed  under  my  charge. 

I  feel  assured  that  Mr.  Boutelle  will  fulfill  your 
expectations  and  my  own,  in  the  usefulness  of  the 
Vixen  and  Arago ;  and  I  need  not  add  that  I  shall 
give  him  every  opportunity  and  aid  necessary  to  en 
able  him  to  carry  on  the  proper  work  of  the  Coast 
Survey. 

Very    respectfully,   your    obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer,  etc. 


46  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

CIRCULAR. 

United  States   Ship  Wabash,  October   23d,    1861. 

SIR:  —  The  following-named  vessels  of  this  fleet, 
under  my  command,  will,  on  signals  being  made,  get 
under  way,  and  leave  Hampton  Roads  in  third  order 
of  steaming,  or  the  double  line  ahead,  viz. : 

o  Wabash, 

Ottawa,  o         o  Unadilla, 

Pawnee,  o         o  Seneca, 

Isaac  M.  Smith,      o         o  Pembina, 

Curlew,  o         o  R.  B.  Forbes, 

Penguin,  o         o  Pocahontas. 

These  vessels,  when  outside,  will  form  the  line 
abreast,  according  to  the  diagram,  except  the  two  last, 
which  are  the  flanking  vessels  of  the  column  of  trans 
ports  on  the  east,  as  shown  in  the  diagram.  They  will 
therefore  take  their  positions,  as  prescribed  in  the  dia 
gram,  in  rear  of  the  left  of  the  line,  and  await  the 
transports. 

After  the  above-named  vessels  will  follow  the 
transports  in  succession ;  thus :  first  the  Vanderbilt,  and 
those  composing  the  third  column  of  transports,  of 
which  the  Vanderbilt  is  the  leading  ship;  then  the 
Baltic,  and  those  composing  the  first  or  centre  column 
of  transports,  of  which  the  Baltic  is  the  leading  ship ; 
and  lastly  the  Atlantic,  and  those  composing  the  second 
or  right  column  of  transports,  of  which  the  Atlantic 
is  the  leading  ship. 

The  transports  will  form,  when  in  the  offing,  in 
three  columns  in  the  line  ahead,  under  their  respective 
leaders,  as  shown  in  the  diagram. 

After   the   transports    will    follow    the    Florida   and 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  47 

Augusta,  which  are  to  flank  the  transports  on  the 
west ;  and,  lastly,  the  Mohican  and  Seminole,  which 
are  to  cover  the  rear  of  the  fleet ;  as  shown  in  the 
diagram. 

The  following  general  directions  are  to  be  observed : 

1st.  —  Each  vessel  is  to  keep  her  own  place  in 
line,  abreast  or  ahead,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  not 
leave  except  by  signal. 

2d.  —  The  transports  will  follow  strictly,  with  or 
without  signals,  the  leading  vessel  of  their  respective 
columns. 

3d.  —  The    flag    ship    will    communicate    with    the 
transports,  through    the    leaders    of   the    columns   only, 
and   by   means    of  Rogers'   marine   signals. 
Very   respectfully, 

S.  F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,   etc. 


Flag   Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Roads,  Nov.  5th,   1861. 

To   C.  O.   BOUTELLE, 

Assistant  United   States   Coast  Survey: 

SIR: — I  have  to  thank  you  for  your  efficient  as 
sistance  and  co-operation  in  bringing  the  heavy  ships 
of  the  squadron  under  my  command,  and  the  trans 
ports,  into  Port  Royal  roadstead ;  and  I  shall  take 
pains  to  inform  the  Superintendent  of  the  Coast  Sur 
vey  that  your  services  have  met  my  cordial  commen 
dation. 

I  have  now  to  request  that  you  will  be  pleased 
to  make  a  hydrographic  reconnoissance  of  the  channel 
between  the  North  Breaker  and  Fishing  Kip ;  placing 
such  buoys  on  the  latter  as  will  make  it  safe  to  pass 


48  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

the   southeast   or    northwest   point    of    the    shoal,    or   to 
cross    it   with   the    gunboats   at   low    water. 

I  have   the   honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.   F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer,  etc. 


Flag   Ship  Wabash, 
Off  Hilton   Head,   Port  Royal   Harbor,   Nov.  6th,    1861. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  The  Government  having  determined  to  seize 
and  occupy  one  or  more  important  points  upon 
our  southern  coast,  where  our  squadron  might  find 
shelter,  possess  a  depot,  and  afford  protection  to  loyal 
citizens,  committed  to  my  direction  the  selection  from 
among  the  places  which  it  thought  most  available  and 
desirable  for  these  purposes. 

After  mature  deliberation,  aided  by  the  professional 
knowledge  and  great  intelligence  of  the  Assistant  Sec 
retary,  Mr.  Fox,  and  upon  taking  into  consideration  the 
magnitude  to  which  the  joint  naval  and  military  ex 
pedition  had  been  extended,  to  which  you  have  called 
my  attention,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  orig 
inal  intention  of  the  Department,  if  first  carried  out, 
would  fall  short  of  the  expectations  of  the  country, 
and  of  the  capabilities  of  the  expedition,  while  Port 
Royal,  I  thought,  would  meet  both  in  a  high  degree. 

I  therefore  submitted  to  Brigadier-General  Sher 
man,  commanding  the  military  part  of  the  expedition, 
this  modification  of  our  earliest-matured  plans,  and 
had  the  satisfaction  to  receive  his  full  concurrence ; 
though  he  and  the  commanders  of  brigades  very  justly 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  49 

laid  great  stress  on  the  necessity,  if  possible,  of  getting 
this  frigate  into  the  harbor  of  Port  Royal. 

On  Tuesday,  the  2Qth  of  October,  the  fleet  under 
my  command  left  Hampton  Roads,  and  with  the  army 
transports  numbered  fifty  vessels.  On  the  day  previous 
I  had  despatched  the  coal  vessels,  twenty-five  in  all, 
under  convoy  of  the  Vandalia,  Commander  Haggerty, 
to  rendezvous  off  Savannah  —  not  wishing  to  give  the 
true  point. 

The  weather  had  been  unsettled  in  Hampton  Roads, 
though  it  promised  well  when  we  sailed,  but  off  Hat- 
teras  it  blew  hard;  some  ships  got  into  the  breakers, 
and  two  struck,  but  without  injury. 

On  Friday,  the  ist  of  November,  rough  weather 
soon  increased  into  a  gale,  and  we  had  to  encounter 
one  of  great  violence  from  the  southeast,  a  portion 
of  which  approached  to  a  hurricane.  The  fleet  was 
utterly  dispersed,  and  on  Saturday  morning  one  sail 
only  was  in  sight  from  the  deck  of  the  Wabash. 

On  the  following  day  the  weather  moderated,  and 
the  steamers  and  ships  began  to  re-appear.  Orders  (not 
to  be  opened  except  in  case  of  a  separation)  were  fur 
nished  to  all  the  men-of-war  by  myself,  and  to  the 
transports  by  Brigadier- General  Sherman.  As  the  vessels 
rejoined,  reports  came  in  of  disasters.  I  expected  to 
hear  of  many;  but  when  the  severity  of  the  gale  and 
the  character  of  the  vessels  are  considered,  we  have 
only  cause  for  great  thankfulness. 

In  reference  to  the  men-of-war,  the  Isaac  Smith,  a 
most  efficient  and  well-armed  vessel  for  the  class  pur 
chased,  but  not  intended  to  encounter  such  sea  and 
wind,  had  to  throw  her  formidable  battery  overboard 
to  keep  from  foundering;  but,  thus  relieved,  Lieutenant 

4 


5O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Commanding  Nicholson  was  enabled  to  go  to  the  assist 
ance  of  the  chartered  steamer  Governor,  then  in  a 
very  dangerous  condition,  on  board  of  which  was  our 
fine  battalion  of  marines,  under  Major  Reynolds.  They 
were  finally  rescued  by  Captain  Ringgold  in  the 
Sabine,  under  difficult  circumstances;  soon  after  which 
the  Governor  went  down.  I  believe  seven  of  the 
marines  were  drowned  by  their  own  imprudence.  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Nicholson's  conduct  in  the  Isaac 
Smith  has  met  with  my  warm  commendation. 

The  Peerless  transport,  in  a  sinking  condition,  was 
met  by  the  Mohican,  Commander  Godon.  All  the 
people  on  board,  twenty-six  in  number,  were  saved 
under  very  perilous  circumstances,  in  which  service 
Lieutenant  H.  W.  Miller  was  very  favorably  noticed 
by  his  commander. 

On  passing  Charleston  I  sent  in  the  Seneca,  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Ammen,  to  direct  Captain  Lardner 
to  join  me  with  the  steamer  Susquehannah  off  Port 
Royal  without  delay.  On  Monday,  at  eight  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  I  anchored  off  the  bar,  with  some  twenty- 
five  vessels  in  company,  with  many  more  heaving  in 
sight. 

The  Department  is  aware  that  all  the  aids  to 
navigation  had  been  removed,  and  the  bar  lies  ten 
miles  seaward,  with  no  features  on  the  shore  line  of 
sufficient  prominence  to  make  any  bearings  reliable. 
But  to  the  skill  of  Commander  Davis,  the  Fleet  Captain, 
and  Mr.  Boutelle,  the  able  assistant  of  the  Coast  Survey 
in  charge  of  the  steamer  Vixen,  the  channel  was  im 
mediately  found,  sounded  out,  and  buoyed.  By  three 
o'clock  I  received  assurances  from  Captain  Davis  that 
I  could  send  forward  the  lighter  transports  —  those 
under  eighteen  feet  —  with  all  the  gunboats,  which  was 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  51 

immediately  done;  and  before  dark  they  were  securely 
anchored  in  the  roadstead  of  Port  Royal,  South  Caro 
lina.  The  gunboats  almost  immediately  opened  their 
batteries  upon  two  or  three  rebel  steamers,  under 
Commodore  Tatnall,  instantly  chasing  him  under  the 
shelter  of  the  batteries. 

In  the  morning,  Commander  John  Rodgers,  of  the 
United  States  steamer  Flag,  temporarily  on  board  this 
ship  and  acting  on  my  staff,  accompanied  by  Brigadier 
General  Wright,  in  the  gunboat  Ottawa  (Lieutenant 
Commanding  Stevens),  and  supported  by  the  Seneca 
(Lieutenant  Commanding  Ammen),  the  Curlew  (Acting 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Watmough),  and  the  Isaac 
Smith  (Lieutenant  Commanding  Nicholson),  made  a  re- 
connoissance  in  force,  and  drew  the  fire  of  the  batteries 
on  Hilton  Head  and  Bay  Point,  sufficiently  to  show 
that  the  fortifications  were  works  of  strength  and 
scientifically  constructed.  In  the  evening  of  Monday, 
Captain  Davis  and  Mr.  Boutelle  reported  water  enough 
for  the  Wabash  to  venture  in. 

The  responsibility  of  hazarding  so  noble  a  frigate 
was  not  a  light  one.  Over  a  prolonged  bar  of  over 
two  miles  there  was  but  a  foot  or  two  of  water  to 
spare;  and  the  fall  and  rise  of  tide  is  such,  that  if 
she  had  grounded  she  would  have  sustained  most 
serious  injury  from  straining,  if  not  totally  lost.  Too 
much  however  was  at  stake  to  hesitate,  and  the  result 
was  entirely  successful. 

On  the  morning  of  Tuesday  the  Wabash  crossed 
the  bar,  followed  closely  by  the  frigate  Susquehannah, 
the  Atlantic,  Vanderbilt,  and  other  transports  of  deep 
draft;  and  on  running  through  that  portion  of  the 
fleet  already  in,  the  safe  passage  of  this  great  ship 


5*  OFFICIA L  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

over   the   bar  was   hailed   by  gratifying  cheers  from  the 
crowded   vessels. 

We  anchored,  and  immediately  commenced  prepar 
ing  the  ship  for  action ;  but  the  delay  of  planting 
buoys,  particularly  on  the  Fishing  Rip,  a  dangerous 
shoal  we  had  to  avoid,  rendered  the  hour  late  before 
it  was  possible  to  move  with  the  attacking  squadron. 
In  our  anxiety  to  get  the  outline  of  the  forts  before 
dark  we  stood  in  too  near  this  shoal,  and  the  ship 
grounded.  By  the  time  she  was  gotten  off,  it  was  too 
late  in  my  judgment  to  proceed,  and  I  made  signal 
for  the  squadron  to  anchor  out  of  gun-shot  from  the 
enemy. 

To-day  the  wind  blows  a  gale  from  the  southward 
and  westward,  and  the  attack  is  unavoidably  post 
poned. 

I   have   the   honor   to   be,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  Hilton  Head,  Port  Royal  Harbor,  Nov.  8th,  1861. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that 
yesterday  I  attacked  the  enemy's  batteries  on  Bay 
Point  and  Hilton  Head,  Forts  Beauregard  and  Walker, 
and  succeeded  in  silencing  them,  after  an  engagement 
of  four  hours  duration,  and  in  driving  away  the  squad 
ron  of  rebel  steamers  under  Commodore  Tatnall. 

The  reconnoissances  of  yesterday  made  us  acquainted 
with  the  superiority  of  Fort  Walker,  and  to  that  I 
directed  my  special  efforts ;  engaging  it  at  a  distance 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  53 

of  first  eight  and  afterwards  six  hundred  yards. 
But  the  plan  of  attack  brought  the  squadron  suffi 
ciently  near  Fort  Beauregard  to  receive  its  fire,  and 
the  ships  were  frequently  fighting  the  batteries  on  both 
sides  at  the  same  time. 

The  action  was  begun,  on  my  part,  at  twenty-six 
minutes  after  nine,  and  at  half  past  two  the  American 
ensign  was  hoisted  on  the  flag-staff  of  Fort  Walker, 
and  this  morning  at  sunrise,  on  that  of  Fort  Beaure 
gard. 

The  defeat  of  the  enemy  terminated  in  utter  rout 
and  confusion ;  their  quarters  and  encampments  were 
abandoned  without  an  attempt  to  carry  away  either 
public  or  private  property.  The  ground  over  which 
they  fled  was  strewn  with  the  arms  of  private  soldiers, 
and  the  officers  retired  in  too  much  haste  to  submit 
to  the  encumbrance  of  their  swords. 

Landing  my  marines  and  a  company  of  seamen, 
I  took  possession  of  the  deserted  ground,  and  held  the 
fort  on  Hilton  Head  till  the  arrival  of  General  Sher 
man,  to  whom  I  had  the  honor  to  transfer  its  occu 
pation. 

We  have  captured  forty-three  pieces  of  cannon, 
most  of  them  of  the  heaviest  calibre  and  the  most  im 
proved  description. 

The  bearer  of  these  dispatches  will  have  the  honor 
to  carry  with  him  the  captured  flags  and  two  small 
brass  field-pieces  lately  belonging  to  the  State  of  South 
Carolina,  which  are  sent  home  as  suitable  trophies  of  the 
success  of  the  day.  I  enclose  herewith  a  copy  of  the 
General  Order  which  is  to  be  read  in  the  fleet  to 
morrow  morning  at  muster. 

A  detailed  account  of  this  battle  will  be  submitted 
hereafter. 


54  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  your 
most  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 

The  bearer  of  dispatches  will  also  carry  with  him 
the  first  American  ensign  raised  upon  the  soil  of 
South  Carolina  since  this  rebellion  broke  out. 


General  Order  No.  2. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Hilton  Head,  Port  Royal  Bay,  Nov.  8th,  1861. 

It  is  the  grateful  duty  of  the  Commander-in-Chief 
to  make  a  public  acknowledgment  of  his  entire  com 
mendations  of  the  coolness,  discipline,  skill,  and  gallan 
try  displayed  by  the  officers  and  men  under  his  com 
mand,  in  the  capture  of  the  batteries  on  Hilton  Head 
and  Bay  Point,  after  an  action  of  four  hours'  duration. 

The  Flag  Officer  fully  sympathizes  with  the  officers 
and  men  of  his  squadron  in  the  satisfaction  they  must 
feel  at  seeing  the  ensign  of  the  Union  flying  once 
more  in  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  which  has  been 
the  chief  promoter  of  the  wicked  and  unprovoked 
rebellion  they  have  been  called  upon  to  suppress. 

S.    F.   Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  55 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  8th,  1862. 

To  Commander  E.  G.  PARROTT,  United  States  Ship  Augusta, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  South  Carolina. 

Sir :  —  On  receipt  of  this  order  you  will  please 
proceed  off  Savannah,  Georgia,  to  assume  the  blockade 
of  that  port;  and  you  will  report  yourself  to  the 
senior  officer  there. 

The  accompanying  documents  are  for  your  con 
sideration. 

Respectfully   your   obedient    servant, 

S.   F.   Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  Nov.  9th,  1861. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  Since  writing  my  official  dispatch  I  have 
sent  gunboats  to  take  possession  of  Beaufort  to  protect 
the  inhabitants,  but  I  regret  to  say  they  have  fled,  and 
the  town  is  abandoned  to  the  negroes,  represented  to 
me  as  in  a  lawless  condition. 

The  light- vessels,  which  I  hoped  to  save,  were 
destroyed  on  the  desertion  of  the  forts  by  the  rebels. 

The  post-office  was  visited,  and  a  number  of  docu 
ments  and  letters  obtained. 

I  have  covered  Skull  creek  and  the  mouth  of  Broad 
river,  and  have  cut  off  this  communication  between 
Charleston  and  Savannah. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


56  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

United  States  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  Nov.  nth,  1861. 

HON.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  now  to  submit  the  following 
detailed  account  of  the  action  of  the  7th  of  November. 

From  the  reconnoissance  of  the  5th,  we  were  led 
to  believe  that  the  forts  on  Bay  Point  and  Hilton 
Head  were  armed  with  more  than  twenty  guns  each,  of 
the  heaviest  calibre  and  longest  range,  and  were  well 
constructed  and  well  manned  ;  but  that  the  one  on  Hilton 
Head  was  the  strongest.  The  distance  between  them 
is  two  and  two-tenths  nautical  miles,  —  too  great  to 
admit  of  their  being  advantageously  engaged  at  the 
same  time,  except  at  long  shot.  I  resolved,  there 
fore,  to  undertake  the  reduction  of  Hilton  Head  (or 
as  I  shall  hereafter  call  it,  Fort  Walker),  first ;  and 
afterwards  to  turn  my  attention  to  Fort  Beauregard, 
the  fort  on  Bay  Point.  The  greater  part  of  the  guns 
of  Fort  Walker  were  presented  upon  two  water  fronts  \ 
and  the  flanks  were  but  slightly  guarded,  especially 
on  the  north,  on  which  side  the  approach  of  an  enemy 
had  not  been  looked  for. 

A  fleet  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  seven  steamers, 
armed,  but  to  what  extent  I  was  not  informed  further 
than  that  they  carried  rifled  guns,  occupied  the  northern 
portion  of  the  harbor,  and  stretched  along  from  the 
mouth  of  Beaufort  river  to  Skull  creek. 

It  was  high  water  on  the  7th  instant  at  11.35 
a.  m.,  by  the  tables  of  the  Coast  Survey. 

These  circumstances,  the  superiority  of  Fort  Walker, 
and  its  weakness  on  the  northern  flank,  the  presence 
of  the  rebel  fleet,  and  the  flood  tide  of  the  morning 
decided  the  plan  of  attack,  and  the  order  of  battle. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  57 

The  order  of  battle  comprised  a  main  squadron 
ranged  in  a  line  ahead,  and  a  flanking  squadron,  which 
was  to  be  thrown  off  on  the  northern  section  of  the 
harbor  to  engage  the  enemy's  flotilla,  and  prevent  their 
raking  the  rear  ships  of  the  line  when  it  turned  to 
the  southward,  or  cutting  off  a  disabled  vessel. 

The  main  squadron  consisted  of  the  frigate  Wabash, 
Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers,  the  leading  ship ;  the 
frigate  Susquehannah,  Captain  J.  L.  Lardner;  the  sloop 
Mohican,  Commander  S.  W.  Godon;  the  sloop  Semi- 
nole,  Commander  J.  P.  Gillis ;  the  sloop  Pawnee,  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  R.  H.  Wyman  ;  the  gunboat  Una- 
dilla,  Lieutenant  Commanding  N.  Collins  ;  the  gunboat 
Ottawa,  Lieutenant  Commanding  T.  H.  Stevens  ;  the  gun 
boat  Pembina,  Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  P.  Bankhead; 
and  the  sailing  sloop  Vandalia,  Commander  F.  S.  Hag- 
gerty,  towed  by  the  Isaac  Smith,  Lieutenant  Command 
ing  J.  W.  A.  Nicholson.  The  flanking  squadron  con 
sisted  of  the  gunboat  Bienville,  Commander  Charles 
Steedman,  the  leading  ship ;  the  gunboat  Seneca,  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Daniel  Ammen  ;  the  gunboat  Curlew, 
Lieutenant  Commanding  P.  G.  Watmough ;  the  gunboat 
Penguin,  Lieutenant  Commanding  T.  A.  Budd ;  and  the 
gunboat  Augusta,  Commander  E.  G.  Parrott,  the  closing 
ship  of  that  line.  The  plan  of  attack  was  to  pass  up 
midway  between  Forts  Walker  and  Beauregard,  receiv 
ing  and  returning  the  fire  of  both,  to  a  certain  dist 
ance  about  two  and  a  half  miles  north  of  the  latter. 
At  that  point  the  line  was  to  turn  to  the  south  round 
by  the  west  and  close  in  with  Fort  Walker,  encoun 
tering  it  on  its  weakest  flank,  and  at  the  same  time 
enfilading  in  nearly  a  direct  line  its  two  water-faces. 
While  standing  to  the  southward  the  vessels  of  the 
line  were  head  to  tide,  which  kept  them  under  com- 


58  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

mand  whilst  the  rate  of  going  was  diminished.  When 
abreast  of  the  fort  the  engine  was  to  be  slowed,  and 
the  movement  reduced  to  only  as  much  as  would  be 
just  sufficient  to  overcome  the  tide,  to  preserve  the 
order  of  battle  by  passing  the  batteries  in  slow  suc 
cession,  and  to  avoid  becoming  a  fixed  mark  for  the 
enemy's  fire.  On  reaching  the  extremity  of  Hilton 
Head  and  the  shoal  ground  making  off  from  it,  the 
line  was  to  turn  to  the  north  by  the  east,  and  pass 
ing  to  the  northward,  to  engage  Fort  Walker  with  the 
port  battery,  nearer  than  when  first  on  the  same  course. 
These  evolutions  were  to  be  repeated. 

The  accompanying  plan  will  explain  the  preceding 
description. 

The  Captains  of  the  ships  had  been  called  on 
board  and  instructed  as  to  the  general  formation  of 
the  lines,  and  their  own  respective  places. 

At  eight  o'clock  the  signal  was  made  to  get  under 
way.  At  8.10,  the  ship,  riding  to  the  flood,  tripped 
her  anchor;  and  at  8.30,  the  ship  turned  and  was 
headed  in  for  the  forts.  At  9,  the  signal  was  made 
for  "  close  order."  At  9.26,  the  action  was  commenced 
by  a  gun  from  Fort  Walker,  immediately  followed  by 
another  from  Fort  Beauregard.  This  was  answered  at 
once  from  this  ship,  and  immediately  after  from  the 
Susquehannah.  At  10  o'clock,  the  leading  ship  of  the 
line  turned  to  the  southward,  and  made  signal  to  the 
Vandalia  (which  ship,  in  tow  of  the  Isaac  Smith,  was 
dropping  astern,  and  was  exposed  without  support  to 
the  fire  of  Fort  Beauregard),  to  join  company.  At 
10.15,  the  signal  was  made  for  closer  action,  the  Wabash 
slowly  passing  Fort  Walker  at  a  distance,  when  abreast, 
of  eight  hundred  yards.  At  II,  the  signal  was  made 
to  get  into  and  preserve  stations;  and  at  11.15,  to 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  59 

follow  the  motions  of  the  Commander-in-Chief.  At 
11.30,  the  enemy's  flag  was  shot  away.  Standing  to 
the  northward,  nearly  in  the  line  shown  in  the  diagram, 
the  ship's  head  was  again  turned  to  the  southward, 
and  she  passed  the  guns  of  Fort  Walker  at  a  distance 
less  than  six  hundred  yards.  (The  sights  were  ad 
justed  to  five  hundred  and  fifty  yards).  The  second 
fire  with  the  starboard  guns  of  the  Wabash,  and  of 
Captain  Lardner  in  the  Susquehannah,  my  second  in 
command,  who  always  kept  so  near  as  to  give  me 
the  entire  support  of  his  formidable  battery,  seems,  at 
this  short  distance,  to  have  discomfited  the  enemy. 
Its  effect  was  increased  by  the  shells  thrown  from  the 
smaller  vessels  at  the  enfilading  point.  It  was  evident 
that  the  enemy's  fire  was  becoming  much  less  frequent, 
and  finally  it  was  kept  up  at  such  long  intervals,  and 
with  so  few  guns,  as  to  be  of  little  consequence. 
After  the  Wabash  and  Susquehannah  had  passed  to 
the  northward,  and  given  the  fort  the  fire  of  their  port 
battery  the  third  time,  the  enemy  had  entirely  ceased  to 
reply,  and  the  battle  was  ended.  At  1.15,  the  Ottawa 
signaled  that  the  works  at  Hilton  Head  were  aban 
doned.  This  information  was,  a  few  minutes  later,  re 
peated  by  the  Pembina.  As  soon  as  the  starboard 
guns  of  this  ship,  and  the  Susquehannah,  had  been 
brought  to  bear  a  third  time  upon  Fort  Walker,  I 
sent  Commander  John  Rodgers  on  shore  with  a  flag 
of  truce ;  the  hasty  flight  of  the  enemy  was  visible, 
and  was  reported  from  the  tops.  At  twenty  minutes 
after  two,  Captain  Rodgers  hoisted  the  flag  of  the 
Union  over  the  deserted  post.  At  forty-five  minutes 
after  two,  I  anchored,  and  sent  Lieutenant  Commander 
C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  on  shore,  with  the  marines  and  a 


6O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

party    of    seamen   to    take    possession,   and    prevent,    if 
necessary,  the    destruction    of    public    property. 

The  transports  now  got  under  way  and  came  up 
rapidly,  and  by  night-fall  Brigadier  General  Wright's 
brigade  had  landed  and  entered  upon  the  occupation 
of  the  ground. 

I  have  said,  in  the  beginning  of  this  report,  that 
the  plan  of  attack  designed  making  the  reduction 
of  Fort  Walker  the  business  of  the  day.  In  passing 
to  the  northward,  however,  we  had  improved  every  op 
portunity  of  firing  at  long  range  upon  Fort  Beaurcgard. 
As  soon  as  the  fate  of  Fort  Walker  was  decided,  I 
dispatched  a  small  squadron  to  Fort  Beauregard,  to 
reconnoitre  and  ascertain  its  condition,  and  to  prevent 
the  rebel  steamers  returning  to  carry  away  either  per 
sons  or  property. 

Near  sunset  it  was  discovered  that  the  flag  upon 
this  fort  was  hauled  down,  and  that  the  fort  was  ap 
parently  abandoned. 

At  sunrise,  the  next  day,  the  American  ensign  was 
hoisted  on  the  flag-staff  of  Fort  Beauregard,  by  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Ammen. 

The  Pocahontas,  Commander  Percival  Drayton,  had 
suffered  from  the  gale  on  Friday  night  so  badly  as 
not  to  be  able  to  enter  Port  Royal  until  the  morning 
of  the  7th.  He  reached  the  scene  of  action  about 
twelve  o'clock,  and  rendered  gallant  service  by  engaging 
the  batteries  on  both  sides  in  succession.  Lieutenant 
Commanding  H.  S.  Newcombe,  of  the  R.  B.  Forbes, 
which  vessel  had  been  employed  in  towing  in  the  Great 
Republic,  arrived  in  time  to  take  good  part  in  the 
action ;  and,  finally,  the  tug  Mercury,  Acting  Master 
Martin  commanding,  employed  his  single  Parrott  gun 
with  skill  and  effect. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  6 1 

After  congratulating  you  upon  the  success,  thus 
far,  of  an  expedition  which  had  its  origin  in  the 
counsels  of  the  Department,  and  which  the  Department 
has  fostered  and  labored  to  render  efficient,  the  grati 
fying  duty  remains  to  be  performed  of  according  to 
each  and  all  their  due  share  of  praise  for  good  con 
duct  in  this  encounter  with  the  enemy.  This  duty, 
though  most  welcome,  is  still  delicate. 

I  am  well  aware  that  each  one  did  his  part  in 
his  place;  and  when  I  discriminate,  it  is  in  cases  that 
necessarily  fell  under  my  own  immediate  observation. 

I  have  no  doubt  that  all  would  have  embraced 
and  improved  the  same  opportunities  of  distinction ; 
and  in  noticing  those  who  were  made  prominent  by 
their  stations,  or  who  were  near  me  during  the4action, 
I  am  showing  no  invidious  preference. 

The  General  Order  No.  2,  already  forwarded  to 
the  Department,  expressed  in  general  terms  my  com 
mendation  of  the  gallantry  and  skill  of  the  officers 
and  men. 

The  reports  of  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
several  ships,  herewith  enclosed,  do  justice  to  those 
under  them,  while  the  results  speak  for  the  command 
ing  officers  themselves.  The  names  of  the  latter  are 
mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  this  dispatch.  I  refer 
with  pleasure  to  them  again.  They  did  their  duty  to 
my  satisfaction,  and  I  am  most  happy  to  bear  testi 
mony  to  their  zeal  and  ability. 

The  officers  of  this  ship,  to  whom  I  am  deeply 
indebted,  will  be  mentioned  by  her  Commander,  C.  R. 
P.  Rodgers,  in  his  special  report. 

It   affords    me   the   highest   gratification  to   speak  of 
the    manner    in   which    this    ship    was    handled    during 
the    engagement,  —  owing    in   a   great    measure    to   the 


62  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

professional  skill,  the  calm  and  rapid  judgment,  and 
the  excellent  management  of  Commander  C.  R.  P. 
Rodgers.  His  attention  was  divided  between  this  duty 
and  the  effective  service  of  the  guns,  which  involved 
the  estimation  of  distances,  the  regulation  of  fuses,  and 
the  general  supervision  of  the  divisions.  His  conduct 
and  judicious  control  of  everything  within  the  sphere 
of  his  duty,  though  no  more  than  was  to  be  expected 
from  his  established  reputation,  impressed  me  with  a 
higher  estimation  than  ever  of  his  attainments  and 
character. 

I  had  also  an  opportunity  to  remark  the  admira 
ble  coolness  and  discrimination  of  the  First  Lieuten 
ant,  T.  G.  Corbin.  The  good  order,  discipline,  and  effi 
ciency  in  every  respect  of  this  ship,  are  to  a  great 
extent  the  results  of  his  labors  as  executive  officer, 
and  they  were  conspicuous  on  this  occasion. 

Acting  Master  Stites,  acting  as  pilot,  was  devoted 
and  intelligent  in  the  performance  of  his  duties ;  and 
the  Third  Assistant  Engineer  Missimer,  who  attended 
the  bell,  was  prompt  and  always  correct. 

Acting  Master  S.  W.  Preston,  acting  as  my  flag 
lieutenant,  displayed  throughout  the  day  an  undisturbed 
intelligence  and  a  quick  and  general  observation  which 
proved  very  useful;  his  duties  as  signal  officer  were 
performed  without  mistake.  This  gentleman,  and  the 
young  officers,  Mr.  Samson,  Mr.  Robertson,  and  Mr. 
Rowland,  who  were  also  under  my  eye  in  immediate 
command  of  the  pivot  guns  and  spar  deck  divisions, 
sustained  the  reputation  and  exhibited  the  benefits  of 
the  Naval  Academy,  the  training  of  which  only  could 
make  such  valuable  officers  of  such  young  men. 

Commander  John  Rodgers,  a  passenger  in  this 
ship,  going  to  take  command  of  the  steamer  Flag, 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU  PONT.  63 

volunteered  to  act  upon  my  staff.  It  would  be  diffi 
cult  for  me  to  enumerate  the  duties  he  performed, 
they  were  so  numerous  and  various ;  and  he  brought 
to  them  all  an  invincible  energy,  and  the  highest  order 
of  professional  knowledge  and  merit.  I  was  glad  to 
show  my  appreciation  of  his  great  services,  by  allow 
ing  him  the  honor  to  hoist  the  first  American  flag 
on  the  rebellious  soil  of  South  Carolina. 

My  secretary,  Mr.  Alexander  McKinley,  was  by 
my  side  throughout  the  engagement,  making  memoranda 
under  my  direction;  he  evinced  the  same  cool  bravery 
which  he  once  before  had  an  opportunity  of  showing 
under  fire  in  a  foreign  land.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to 
mention  him  here,  as  a  gentleman  of  intelligence,  of 
great  worth,  and  of  heartfelt  devotion  to  his  country. 

I  have  yet  to  speak  of  the  chief  of  my  staff,  and 
fleet  captain,  Commander  Charles  H.  Davis.  In  the 
organization  of  our  large  fleet  before  sailing,  and  in 
the  preparation  and  systematic  arrangement  of  the 
details  of  our  contemplated  work,  —  in  short,  in  all  the 
duties  pertaining  to  the  flag  officer,  —  I  received  his  most 
valuable  assistance.  He  possesses  the  rare  quality  of 
being  a  man  of  science,  and  a  practical  officer;  keep 
ing  the  love  of  science  subordinate  to  the  regular 
duties  of  his  profession.  During  the  action  he  watched 
over  the  movements  of  the  fleet,  kept  the  official  min 
utes,  and  evinced  that  coolness  in  danger  which  to  my 
knowledge  for  thirty  years,  has  been  a  conspicuous  trait 
in  his  character. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  respectfully,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


64  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  Nov.  loth,  1861. 
Lieutenant  Commanding  NAPOLEON  COLLINS, 
United  States  Gunboat  Unadilla, 
Port  Royal  Harbor: 

Sir :  —  It  has  been  reported  to  me  by  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Ammen,  that,  on  taking  possession  of  the 
town  of  Beaufort  under  my  order  of  the  8th  inst., 
he  found  that  most  of  the  white  inhabitants  had  aban 
doned  the  town,  and  that  the  negroes  were  committing 
excesses  and  destroying  private  property. 

You  will  proceed  with  the  most  convenient  des 
patch  in  the  gunboat  Unadilla,  under  your  command, 
to  Beaufort,  where  you  will  find  the  gunboat  Pembina, 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Bankhead,  and  the  gunboat 
Curlew,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Watmough,  and  assume 
the  command  of  the  station. 

You  will  employ  your  force  in  suppressing  any 
excesses  on  the  part  of  the  negroes;  and  you  will 
take  pains  to  assure  the  white  inhabitants  that  there  is  no 
intention  to  disturb  them  in  the  exercise  of  their  private 
rights,  or  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  private*  property. 

Acting  on  this  principle  of  conduct,  you  will  pur 
sue  any  other  measures  that  may  tend  to  create  con 
fidence,  to  bring  back  the  people  to  their  homes,  and 
to  re-establish  order. 

You  will  please  send  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Watmough  to  report  to  me  to-morrow  morning,  in 
person,  upon  the  actual  state  of  things,  and  upon  the 
steps  you  may  have  found  it  expedient  to  take. 

Any  information  you  may  have  it  in  your  power  to 
collect  concerning  the  state  of  the  surrounding  country 
will  be  valuable. 

Very   respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  65 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
t  Port  Royal  Harbor,  Nov.  12th,  1861. 

HONORABLE  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR  :  —  I  beg  leave  to  enclose  to  the  Department 
the  report  of  Lieutenant  Commanding  Ammen  and 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Sproston,  which  I  trust  will 
be  found  interesting;  also  the  report  of  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Collins,  and  a  copy  of  my  instructions 
to  him  in  relation  to  the  investment  of  Beaufort.* 

Respectfully   your   obedient    servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  Nov.  i4th,  1861. 

To  Acting- Lieutenant  Commanding  T.  A.  BUDD,  U.  S.  S.  Penguin, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  South  Carolina : 

t  SIR: —  You  will  proceed  with  the  Penguin 'under 
your  command,  and  blockade  the  harbor  of  George 
town,  South  Carolina. 

Captain  Ringgold,  of  the  Sabine,  is  the  senior 
officer,  and  you  will  report  accordingly  on  his  arrival 
there,  for  I  presume  you  will  be  in  advance  of  him. 

Enclosed  is  a  memorandum  of  vessels  suspected 
of  intending  to  run  the  blockade,  which  you  will 
deliver  to  Captain  Ringgold,  previously  taking  a  copy 
of  the  same  for  your  own  use ;  also  copy  of  a  note 
from  the  Acting  Secretary  of  State,  F.  W.  Seward,  to 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

You  will  stop  off  Charleston  and  communicate 
with  Captain  Lardner,  of  the  Susquehanna,  delivering 


66  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

the    papers    addressed    to    him,   and    informing    him    of 
your    destination. 

Respectfully   your   obedient    servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 

P.  S.  —  Letter  just  received  from  Captain  Lardner. 
Report  to  him  to  cover  Bull's  Bay,  or  Edisto,  as  he 
may  deem  best.  The  Gem  of  the  Sea,  in  that  case, 
should  go  on  to  Georgetown,  until  I  can  get  a  steamer 
there;  but  all  is  left  to  Captain  Lardner's  discretion. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal,  Nov.   i8th,    1861. 


Brigadier-General  SHERMAN, 

Commanding  Military  Forces: 


MY  DEAR  GENERAL  :  —  You  will  regret  to  learn 
that  cjesecration  and  plundering,  by  persons  in  boats 
from  the  transports  and  coal  vessels,  have  been  going 
on.  Houses  have  been  broken  into  on  Parry  Island  and 
elsewhere,  and  the  furniture  destroyed.  In  that  of  Dr. 
Meens,  the  amusement  seems  to  have  been  to  fire  through 
a  fine  piano  with  pistols. 

You  will,  I  am  sure,  be  pleased  to  learn  that  I 
have  taken  measures  to  arrest  this  nefarious  practice 
on  the  water,  so  disgraceful  to  our  arms,  and  so  shock 
ing  to  your  sentiments  and  mine.  In  future,  no  boats 
from  the  transports  will  be  permitted  to  land  on  the 
river  shores,  except  they  have  a  pass  from  some  officer 
authorized  by  you  to  give  one.  I  should  be  pleased 
to  join  you  in  any  measure  to  prevent  these  practices 
that  you  may  deem  fitting  and  proper.  This  morning 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  6/ 

I  visited  all  the  ships  of  the  squadron,  and  in  a  few 
remarks  to  the  crews  enjoined  upon  them  a  rigid 
abstinence  on  this  matter. 

I  will  not  trouble  you  here  with  another  matter, 
but  will  see  you  on  the  subject.  The  captains  of  the 
transports  apply  to  me  to  suppress  mutinies,  etc. ;  and 
to-day  a  large  number  of  the  Great  Republic's  men 
refused  duty,  and  resisted  being  confined;  but  I  sent 
a  lieutenant  on  board,  when,  after  speaking  to  them, 
twenty-three  submitted  at  once,  and  were  put  in  irons. 

Hoping  to  get  on  shore  to  see  you  soon,  I  am, 
my  dear  General,  yours  most  truly, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.    i8th,   1861. 

To   Commander  S.  W.  GODON,  United  States  Ship   Mohican, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  to  sea  to-morrow,  and 
cruise  between  Savannah  and  Fernandina  for  the  general 
purposes  of  blockade,  and  for  the  special  object  of  in 
tercepting  the  vessels  bound  from  Great  Britain  to 
Savannah  or  some  other  Southern  port  which  is  men 
tioned  in  the  enclosed  list. 

My  information  concerning  these  vessels  is  minute 
and  reliable;  their  cargoes  are  very  valuable,  and  con 
sist  principally  of  munitions  of  war,  clothing,  and 
medicines. 

You  will  not  anchor  unless  you  find  it  expedient, 
but  keep  under  way  within  sight  of  the  land,  yet  far 
enough  off  to  command  the  view  of  an  extended 


68  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

range  of  coast.  You  will  communicate  with  the  block 
ading  vessels  on  this  part  of  our  station,  as  opportu 
nity  may  offer,  to  procure  information;  and  you  will 
read  these  orders  to  any  senior  or  superior  officer  you 
may  fall  in  with. 

It  being  the  object  of  your  cruise  to  intercept 
vessels  expected  from  sea,  it  will  be  desirable  to  avoid 
attracting  notice  from  shore,  and  particularly  to  abstain 
from  making  any  demonstration  of  your  force. 

Very   respectfully,  your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  i9th,  1861. 

To  Captain  JOHN   RODGERS,  United  States  Navy, 

United  States  Ship   Flag,  Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  to  sea,  and  report  to 
Commander  Missroon,  off  Savannah,  for  duty  in  aid  of 
the  blockade  of  that  port. 

I  wish  you,  while  there,  to  confer  with  Captain 
Missroon  on  the  most  feasible  plan  of  placing  obstruc 
tions  on  the  bar  of  Tybee  Entrance,  for  which,  as  you  are 
aware,  the  Department  has  made  extensive  preparations. 

A  reconnoissance  will  probably  enable  you  to  form 
an  appropriate  estimate  of  the  force  on  Tybee  Island, 
and  of  the  possibility  of  gaining  access  to  the  inner 
bar ;  but  in  making  this  reconnoissance,  you  will  please 
to  bear  in  mind  that  nothing  need  be  risked. 

If  the  information  acquired  by  this  reconnoissance 
should  be  important,  I  wish  you  to  return  and  com 
municate  it  to  me  immediately. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  69 

I  will  not  omit  this  opportunity  of  again  calling 
your  attention  to  the  vessels  bound  from  England  to 
a  southward  port,  mentioned  in  my  recent  dispatches. 
You  have  a  list  of  them,  and  will  please  exercise  the 
utmost  vigilance  in  regard  to  them. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.   aist,   1861. 

To  Captain  G.  HANCOCK,  R.  N., 

Commanding  H.  B.  M.  Ship  Immortalite, 

and  Senior  Naval  Officer  on  this  Coast, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  com 
munication  of  yesterday,  conceived  and  expressed  in  a 
spirit  of  frankness  and  courtesy  which  commands  my 
confidence. 

I  fully  understand  the  necessity  that  must  fre 
quently  arise  for  offering  to  the  foreign  residents  of 
States  and  cities  engaged  in  active  war  the  protec 
tion  of  an  armed  vessel  of  their  own  nation.  Such  ne 
cessity  has  occurred  in  my  own  experience  of  foreign 
service ;  and  I  am  so  far  from  opposing  the  offer  of 
such  protection,  that  I  shall  be  most  happy,  as  you 
do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  to  concur  in  it,  and  to 
add  my  own  assistance  to  your  efforts,  whenever  it 
can  contribute  to  the  security  or  convenience  of  your 
countrymen. 

Accordingly,  it  affords  me  pleasure  to  say,  that 
your  presence  generally  in  the  neighborhood  of  my  ope- 


7O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

rations   will    not   be    regarded  by  me  as    in  any   manner 
unsuitable. 

But,  on  account  of  the  liability  of  misinterpretation, 
the  unavoidable  constraint  which  the  constant  presence 
of  a  foreign  ship-of-war  in  my  squadron  would  exer 
cise,  and  for  other  obvious  reasons,  I  should  deem  it 
objectionable  to  be  followed  systematically  in  my  pro 
gress  from  point  to  point. 

I  shall  offer  you  the  highest  proof  of  my  confi 
dence ,  in  your  sentiments,  and  of  my  just  appreciation 
of  your  candor,  by  making  you  acquainted,  on  the  eve 
of  my  departure  from  this  place,  with  the  next  point 
of  intended  debarkation,  in  order  that  you  may  be 
able  to  form  a  judgment  of  the  necessity  of  your 
presence  for  the  purpose  of  affording  protection  to  Her 
Britannic  Majesty's  subjects. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your 
most  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  2ist,  1861. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  : —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that,  on  the  day  after  the  action  of  November 
7th,  I  despatched  the  United  States  Steamer  Augusta, 
Commander  E.  G.  Parrott,  to  Savannah,  to  enforce  the 
blockade  of  that  port. 

On  the  nth,  I  despatched  the  armed  bark  Gem 
of  the  Sea,  Acting- Volunteer  Lieutenant  J.  B.  Baxter, 


ADMIRAL  S.  f.  DUPONT.  >J\ 

to    Charleston,  directing   him  to  report  to  Captain  Lard 
ner,  of  the    Susquehanna. 

On  the  I4th,  I  despatched  the  United  States  Ship 
Florida,  Commander  J.  R.  Goldsborough,  to  assist  in  the 
blockade  of  Savannah  and  the  ports  to  the  south 
ward. 

On  the  same  day  I  gave  orders  to  the  Penguin, 
Acting-Lieutenant  T.  A.  Budd,  to  proceed  to  the  block 
ade  of  Georgetown ;  but  before  her  departure,  in  con 
sequence  of  a  communication  received  from  Captain 
Lardner,  relating  to  Edisto  and  Bull's  Bay,  I  modified 
his  orders,  directing  him  to  report  himself  to  Captain 
Lardner,  for  the  purpose,  if  required,  of  assisting  in  the 
blockade  of  Edisto  and  Bull's  Bay. 

On  the  1 8th  of  November,  after  the  receipt  of 
the  telegram  from  Halifax,  relating  to  the  Fingal,  I 
despatched  the  Mohican,  Commander  S.  W.  Godon,  to 
cruise  between  Savannah  and  Fernandina,  for  the  gen 
eral  purposes  of  blockade,  and  particularly  for  the 
special  object  of  intercepting  vessels  bound  from  Great 
Britain  to  Savannah,  or  any  other  Southern  port;  and 
on  the  1 8th,  I  despatched  the  steamer  Flag  also  to 
Savannah.  The  vessels  now  engaged  in  blockade  in 
my  department  are,  the  frigate  Sabine,  the  steamer 
Susquehanna,  the  steamer  Alabama,  the  steamer  Pen 
guin,  the  armed  bark  Gem  of  the  Sea,  the  sloop 
Savannah,  steamer  Augusta,  steamer  Florida,  steamer 
Mohican,  steamer  Flag,  and  frigate  St.  Lawrence. 

The  sloop-of-war  Dale,  engaged  in  the  blockade 
off  the  coast  of  Florida,  has  come  into  this  port  for 
water. 

The  vessels  now  in  this  port  have  been  constantly 
employed  in  various  expeditions  since  their  repairs, 


?2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

and    I    purpose,  to-morrow,    to    make   an    armed    recon- 
noissance   of  St.  Helena   Sound. 

A  memorandum  just  received  from  Commander 
Parrott,  of  the  Augusta,  states  that  Commander  John 
Rodgers,  in  the  Flag,  is  engaged  in  sounding  out  and 
buoying  the  channel  of  Savannah. 

I  am  looking  hourly  for  the  Bienville,  with  our 
ammunition. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  respectfully,  your  obedient 
servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,   etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Saturday  evening,  Nov.  23d,  1861. 

To  Brigadier-General  SHERMAN,  Commanding,  etc. : 

GENERAL  :  —  I  am  thankful  for  the  extract  you 
have  kindly  sent  me  from  Colonel  Terry's  report,  for 
it  confirms  what  Commander  J.  Rodgers,  of  the  Flag, 
reported  as  his  opinion. 

He  has  been  sounding  the  Savannah  bar,  and  left 
again  to-day,  with  three  vessels,  to  continue  his  work 
up  to  Tybee.  If  the  forts  there  have  really  been 
abandoned,  which  I  shall  know  to-morrow,  I  will  cork 
up  Savannah  like  a  bottle,  by  placing  a  frigate  in  the 
roads  opposite  Tybee,  and  out  of  range  from  Pulaski. 

I  feel  some  concern  about  the  report  of  the  Fin- 
gal  getting  in.  If  a  week  ago  from  last  Sunday,  or 
Monday,  he  meant  in  Colonel  Terry's  letter,  it  is  barely 
possible  she  may'  have  run  the  blockade ;  this  would 
be  the  loth  of  November.  I  had  a  steamer  there  on 
the  8th,  and  they  have  been  going  down  ever  since; 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT,  73 

there  are  eight  men-of-war   now  from   Savannah  to  Fer- 
nandina,  cruising   and   blockading. 

The  Fingal  had  but  four  pieces  of  ordnance ;  we 
have  a  complete  invoice  of  her  cargo,  valued  at 
£48,336.  She  had  24,000  Ibs.  of  powder,  11,340  rifles, 
400,000  cartridges,  a  half  million  percussion  caps,  etc. ' 

We  have  had  an  expedition  into  Johnson's  creek 
to-day;  an  intelligent  negro  informed  the  officer  in 
charge  of  it  that  the  rebels  were  intrenching  at  Port 
Royal  Ferry  depot,  and  had  four  guns  mounted,  the 
size  of  the  smallest  guns  in  the  fort  at  Bay  Point. 

I    am,  General,  yours   very   truly, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  25th,  1861. 

To   Hon.   GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Department 
that  the  flag  of  the  United  States  is  flying  over  the 
territory  of  the  State  of  Georgia. 

As  soon  as  the  serious  injury  to  the  boilers  of 
the  Flag  had  been  repaired,  I  dispatched  Commander 
John  Rodgers  to  Tybee  Entrance,  the  mouth  of  Savan 
nah  river,  to  report  to  Commander  Missroon,  the  senior 
officer,  for  a  preliminary  examination  of  the  bars,  and 
for  the  determination  of  the  most  suitable  place  for 
sinking  the  proposed  obstructions  to  the  navigation  of 
the  river. 

Captain  Rodgers  was  instructed  "to  push  his  re- 
connoissance  so  far  as  to  form  an  approximate  estimate 
of  the  force  on  Tybee  Island,  and  of  the  possibility 


74  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

of  gaining  access  to  the  inner  bar ;"  and,  further,  "  if 
the  information  acquired  by  this  reconnoissance  should 
be  important,  to  return  and  communicate  it  to  me  im 
mediately." 

I  was  not  surprised  when  he  came  back  and  re 
ported  that  the  defences  on  Tybee  Island  had  probably 
been  abandoned.  Deeming  it  proper,  however,  to  add 
the  Seneca,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Ammen,  and  Poca- 
hontas,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Balch,  to  his  •  force,  I 
directed  him  to  renew  his  approaches  with  caution,  and, 
if  no  opposition  was  met  with,  to  occupy  the  channel. 

I   am    happy   to   have    it   now    in    my  power   to  in 
form   the    Department  that   the    Flag,  the   Augusta,  and 
the  Pocahontas  are  at  anchor   in    the   harbor,  abreast   of 
Tybee   beacon    and   light,   and   that    the    Savannah    has 
been    ordered   to   take    the   same   position. 

The  abandonment  of  Tybee  Island,  on  which  there 
is  a  strong  Martello  tower,  with  a  battery  at  its  base, 
is  due  to  the  terror  inspired  by  the  bombardment  of 
Forts  Walker  and  Beauregard,  and  is  a  direct  fruit  of 
the  victory  of  the  /th. 

By  the  fall  of  Tybee  Island  the  reduction  of  Fort 
Pulaski,  which  is  within  easy  mortar  distance,  becomes 
only  a  question  of  time. 

The  rebels  have  themselves  placed  sufficient  ob 
structions  in  the  river  at  Pulaski,  and  thus,  by  the  co 
operation  of  their  own  fears  with  our  efforts,  the  harbor 
of  Savannah  is  effectually  closed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  respectfully,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  75 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 

Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  25th,  1861. 
To   Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  Whilst  waiting  for  the  ammunition  expected 
in  the  Bienville,  I  have  not  suffered  the  squadron  to 
be  idle.  The  men-of-war  of  small  draft,  and  the  tug 
Ellen,  have  ascended  Broad  and  Beaufort  rivers,  and 
penetrated  into  the  adjacent  creeks.  The  country  is 
everywhere  in  the  same  deplorable  state. 

The  slaves  are  left  to  take  care  of  themselves, 
except  that  occasional  attempts  are  made  by  their 
former  masters  to  carry  them  off  at  night,  when,  in 
case  of  resistance,  extreme  violence  is  used.  A  great 
deal  of  cotton  of  this  year's  growth,  most  of  which 
is  not  ginned,  is  lying  about  in  barns  or  in  the  open 
air.  I  have  already  taken  the  first  steps  towards  col 
lecting  it,  for  I  learn  from  the  most  intelligent  of 
the  slaves  that  orders  are  given  to  burn  it,  and  several 
barns  have  been  destroyed  on  Port  Royal  Island,  on 
the  approach  of  our  vessels. 

I  have  had  the  honor  to  report  in  a  separate 
communication  the  occupation  of  Tybee  Island. 

This  morning  at  four  o'clock  I  dispatched  a  small 
squadron,  consisting  of  the  Pawnee,  Commander  Dray- 
ton,  the  Unadilla,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Collins,  and 
the  Pembina,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Bankhead,  to 
examine  the  waters  of  St.  Helena  Sound,  and  to 
look  at  the  defences,  if  any,  on  Hunting  and  Otter 
Islands,  or  at  Morgan's  or  the  Coosaw  rivers ;  to  in 
quire  into  the  condition  of  the  neighboring  country 
and  its  inhabitants,  and  to  take  possession  of  any 
abandoned  public  property. 

Very   respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du'PoNT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


76  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  ist,  1861. 

Commander  J.  S.  MISSROON, 

United   States  Ship  Savannah  : 

SIR  :  —  This  letter  will  be  placed  in  your  hands 
by  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers,  the  Captain  of  this 
ship,  who  will  communicate  to  you  the  desire  of  the 
Commanding  General  and  myself  to  obtain  an  approxi 
mate  knowledge  of  the  position  and  force  of  the 
enemy's  battery  south  of  Big  Tybee  Island,  of  which 
the  reconnoissances  by  land  made  by  Captain  Gil- 
more,  of  the  engineers,  and  the  one  communicated  by 
yourself,  were  unable  to  acquire  any  satisfactory  infor 
mation. 

The  examination  by  land  having  proved  insuffi 
cient,  I  have  determined  to  attempt  a  reconnoissance 
by  water,  and  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  has  been 
assigned  to  this  duty,  under  your  direction.  The  gun 
boats  Ottawa  and  Pembina  go  with  him  ;  and  to  these 
you  will  add  such  other  vessels  as  you  may  think 
expedient. 

The  main  object  of  the  reconnoissance  will  be  "to 
clear  up  this  point," — to  use  the  language  of  the 
Commanding  General,  in  an  official  communication  to 
me  of  this  morning, —  "  whether  the  enemy's  battery  is 
on  the  South  Tybee  Island,  or  further  south ;"  or,  in 
other  words,  whether  it  is  on  Little  Tybee  Island  or 
Great  Wassaw  Island. 

And  this  I  beg  you  not  to  lose  sight  of.  You 
will  please  remember  that,  according  to  the  memoir 
of  the  coast  of  Georgia,  by  A.  D.  Bache,  the  Superin 
tendent  of  the  Coast  Survey,  Wassaw  Inlet  "  is  difficult 
to  enter,  and  has  not  been  surveyed ;"  and,  further, 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  77 

that    the    vessels    of   this   squadron     are    about    to    be 
employed   on    other   and   important   service. 

I  enjoin  it  upon  you,  therefore,  not  to  allow  any 
risk  to  be  incurred ;  neither  from  an  encounter  with 
batteries  the  force  of  which  is  wholly  unknown,  nor 
from  too  near  an  approach  to  shoals  and  bars,  the 
depths  and  currents  of  which  have  not  been  deter 
mined. 

I  shall  rely  upon  your  best  judgment  to  see  that 
my  wishes  herein  are  carefully  complied  with ;  and 
that  the  further  prosecution  of  the  original  projects  of 
the  expedition  is  not  crippled  by  the  unnecessary  ex 
posure  of  the  efficient  vessels  of  the  fleet. 

Your  own  acquaintance  with  the  ground,  gained 
while  in  the  blockade,  will  enable  you  to  furnish 
Captain  Rodgers  with  valuable  suggestions. 

Very   respectfully   your   most   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  4th,  1861. 

Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  The  apprehension  of  losing  possession  of 
the  Bay  of  St.  Helena,  so  exceedingly  valuable  for  a 
harbor,  for  its  proximity  to  Charleston,  and  for  the 
command  it  secures  of  large  rivers  supplying  interior 
communication  with  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  has 
induced  me  to  dispatch  a  second  expedition  there, 
under  Commander  Drayton,  with  orders  to  hold  Otter 


78  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Island  until  General  Sherman  is  prepared  to  assume 
military  occupation  of  it,  when  he  will  transfer  the 
fort  to  his  troops. 

I  have  also  dispatched  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers 
to  make  a  reconnoissance  of  Wassaw  Inlet,  in  order 
to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy's  batteries 
there ;  information  which  the  Commanding  General  has 
expressed  to  me  his  desire  to  obtain  before  landing 
troops  on  Tybee  Island. 

The  Department  will  have  the  goodness  to  observe 
that  in  the  necessary  occupation  of  St.  Helena  Sound 
and  of  Tybee  Roads,  and  in  the  examination  of  Wassaw 
Inlet,  a  large  number  of  the  vessels  of  my  squadron 
is  engaged,  which  will  be  released  and  employed  on 
blockading  duty  as  soon  as  Otter  and  Tybee  Islands 
are  held  by  the  army. 

Very   respectfully  your   most    obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  4th,  1861. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  The  second  letter  of  the  Department  relat 
ing  to  the  extinguishment  of  the  lights  of  the  block 
ading  vessels  is  before  me.  The  necessary  orders  on 
this  subject  were,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the 
Department,  immediately  issued  when  the  first  letter  on 
this  subject  was  received. 

Immediately  after  the  capture  of  Port  Royal  I 
gave  my  attention  to  the  blockade  on  the  coast  of 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  79 

South  Carolina.  I  closed  up  North  Edisto,  Stono,  and 
Bull's  Bay,  besides  maintaining  the  existing  force  off 
Georgetown,  and  doubling  that  off  Charleston.  The 
blockade  of  the  latter  is  now  so  rigorous  that  the  fish 
ermen  have  been  driven  in,  and  the  city  of  Charles 
ton  is  deprived  of  its  usual  supply  of  fish. 

Savannah  is  completely  stopped  up,  and  there 
has  been  an  outer  cordon  of  blockading  vessels,  com 
prising  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  Mohican,  and  the  Semi- 
nole,  which  covers  the  inner  blockade  of  the  coast  of 
Georgia. 

Unless  my  own  sources  of  information  are  not  to 
be  relied  upon,  the  agents  of  the  United  States  abroad 
are  sometimes  misled  by  incorrect  statements.  The 
Nashville,  for  example,  I  have  good  reason  to  believe, 
is  now  at  the  wharf  in  Charleston,  without  coal  or 
cargo. 

There  is  one  obstruction  to  a  constantly  efficient 
blockade,  that  can  neither  be  removed  nor  overcome; 
and  that  is  fog.  The  vessels  that  lie  in  wait  to  run 
the  blockade,  having  skillful  pilots,  and  being  desperate 
in  their  attempts,  cannot  but  sometimes  succeed  under 
the  favor  of  fog  or  darkness. 

From  two  recent  captures,  I  am  led  to  think  that 
the  contraband  cargoes  are  divided  and  distributed  in 
many  small  vessels  before  approaching  the  coast. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully  your 
most  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


8O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  Dec.  6th,  1861. 

To  Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  the  fortifications  at  Wassaw  Inlet  have  been 
abandoned  by  the  rebels,  after  removing  the  guns, 
cutting  up  the  platforms,  and  breaching  one  face  of 
the  fort. 

For  the  circumstances  attending  this  important 
discovery,  and  the  temporary  occupation  of  the  waters 
of  Wassaw  Sound,  as  well  as  for  a  knowledge  of  the 
inner  and  ultimate  line  of  defence  selected  by  the 
enemy,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  refer  to  the  accom 
panying  report  of  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers,  upon 
whose  skill  and  judgment  I  relied  for  the  execution 
of  this  undertaking. 

Wassaw  Inlet  and  Sound  constitute  a  second  en 
trance  into  Savannah  river,  and  as  twenty-one  feet  can 
be  carried  over  the  bar  at  high  water,  the  passage  is 
but  little  inferior  to  Tybee  Entrance. 

The  highest  point  reached  by  Commander  Rodgers 
was  about  eight  miles  from  Wassaw  bar,  which  is  about 
ten  miles  from  Savannah,  and  between  four  and  five 
from  Thunderbolt  on  one  side,  and  Montgomery  on 
the  other.  These  two  last  places  are  described  in 
the  Coast  Survey  memoirs  and  reports. 

I  attach  the  highest  value  to  this  possession ;  but 
I  must  confess  that  the  addition  of  the  occupation  of 
St.  Helena  Sound,  Tybee  Entrance,  and  Wassaw  Sound 
by  the  navy,  to  the  other  demands  upon  the  force 
which  the  Department  has  so  liberally  placed  at  my 
disposal,  threatens  to  embarrass  the  duties  of  the 
blockade,  and  to  postpone  some  other  operations. 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  8 1 

I  hope  therefore  that  the  Department  will  find  it 
possible  to  supply  me  with  more  gunboats  and  other 
vessels  of  that  class  propelled  by  steam ;  having  which, 
I  will  venture  to  indulge  in  the  expectation  that  the 
whole  of  the  sea  -  coast  of  Georgia,  and  a  great  part 
of  South  Carolina,  will  be  under  the  flag  of  the  United 
States  at  no  distant  period. 

Respectfully   your   obedient    servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  Dec.  Qth,  1861. 

To   Commander  C.  STEEDMAN, 

United  States  Ship   Bienville,  Port   Royal   Harbor: 

SIR  : —  Please  proceed  with  all  convenient  despatch, 
and  assume  the  blockade  of  St.  Simon's  Sound.  You 
will  find  herewith  some  blockading  instructions,  modi 
fied  in  one  of  the  articles ;  also,  a  list  of  vessels  ex 
pected  to  run  the  blockade. 

You  are  authorized  to  get  Mr.  Tice  from  the 
Flag,  as  coast  pilot. 

I  am  induced  to  believe  that,  since  the  more 
effectual  blockade  of  Charleston  and  Savannah,  St. 
Simon's  Sound  is  more  resorted  to  in  order  to  for 
ward  cargoes  from  Brunswick. 

Please   collect   all  the  information   you   can  in  refer 
ence  to  the  coast  defences,  the  feelings  of  the  people,  etc. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 
6 


82  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  izth,  1861. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR: — I  have  refrained  all  I  could  from  troubling 
the  Department  with  secondary  matters,  but  will  now 
ask  of  it  the  favor  to  order  a  band  of  music  to  be 
enlisted  for  this  ship,  according  to  the  table  of  allow 
ance. 

My  opinion,  founded  on  long  experience  and  obser 
vation,  is  that  the  moral,  and,  indeed,  physical  effect 
upon  a  large  crew  by  music  at  stated  hours  is  most 
salutary. 

With  great  respect,  I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  i2th,  1861. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  the  Depart  - 
.ment  a  report  of  Commander  Percival  Drayton  of  a 
second  expedition  to  St.  Helena  Sound,  made  under  his 
direction,  and  consisting  of  the  sloop  Pawnee,  Com 
mander  Drayton,  the  gunboat  Unadilla,  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Collins,  the  armed  steamer  Isaac  Smith,  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Nicholson,  the  sloop  Dale,  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Truxton,  and  the  United  States  Surveying 
steamer  Vixen,  Mr.  Boutelle,  Assistant  of  the  Coast 
Survey. 

Commander  Drayton  left  this  port  on  the  5th 
inst,  and  proceeded  farther  up  the  Asshepoo  than  on 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  83 

the  previous  occasion,  and  landed  on  Hutchinson's 
Island,  where  he  found  that  all  the  buildings,  includ 
ing  the  negro  houses,  and  the  picked  cotton,  had  been 
burned  two  days  before.  An  attempt  had  been  made 
at  the  same  time  to  drive  off  the  negroes,  some  of 
whom  had  been  shot  in  their  efforts  to  escape.  Com 
mander  Drayton  draws  a  most  painful  picture  of  the 
condition  of  the  negroes,  especially  of  the  aged  and 
infirm. 

He  afterwards  explored  the  Coosaw  as  far  as  the 
entrance  to  Beaufort  creek.  Here  he  witnessed  a 
similar  scene  of  desolation;  and  such  was  the  desti 
tute  state  of  the  negroes,  that  he  was  induced  by  their 
earnest  entreaties  to  bring  some  of  them  to  Otter 
Island,  where  they  were*  supplied  with  food  by  his 
order. 

The  Isaac  Smith  and  Dale  remain  at  Otter  Island 
to  assist  the  army  in  its  maintenance. 

Very   respectfully   your   most   obedient   servant, 

S.    F.   Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  i2th,  1861. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  In  the  further  prosecution  of  my  exami 
nation  of  the  inlets  and  sounds  of  the  coast  of  Geor 
gia,  I  directed  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  to  take 
under  his  command  the  gunboats  Ottawa,  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Stevens,  Seneca,  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Ammen,  and  the  Pembina,  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Bankhead,  together  with  the  armed  steamer  Henry 


84  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Andrew,  Acting  Master  Mather,  and  to  proceed  to 
Ossibaw  Sound,  where  he  was  to  inform  himself  as 
accurately  as  possible  of  the  state  of  things  in  the 
inlet  and  sound,  and  in  the  Vernon  and  Great  Ogee- 
chee  rivers. 

It  appears  that  there  are  no  batteries  on  Ossibaw 
Island,  or  in  the  Great  Ogeechee,  up  which  river  he 
ascended  as  far  as  Merrill's  plantation,  which  he  found 
abandoned. 

There  is  a  fort,  advantageously  placed  and  well 
protected  by  marshes  on  the  side  of  the  land,  situated 
on  the  eastern  end  of  Green  Island.  It  now  mounts 
eight  guns,  and  is  not  yet  completed;  it  commands 
not  only  Vernon  river,  but  the  Little  Ogeechee,  Hell 
Gate,  the  passage  from  Vernon  river  into  the  Great 
Ogeechee,  and  even  the  channel  of  the  latter  river. 

Commander    Rodgers'    report   is    herewith   enclosed. 

I    have   the   honor   to   be   very   respectfully,  etc., 

S.    F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


United  States  Flag  Ship  Wabash, 

Port  Royal  Harbor,  Dec.  2ist,  1861. 

To  Commander  RIDGLEY, 

St.  I  ago  de  Cuba : 

SIR  :  —  Please  receive  my  thanks  for  the  prompt 
manner  in  which  you  have  repaired  to  this  port  and 
furnished  me  with  the  important  information  contained 
a  dispatch  to  you  from  Consul-General  Shufeldt,  at 
the  Havana.  In  reference  to  its  subject  matter,  I 
deem  the  interests  of  the  public  service  will  be  best 
subserved  by  your  early  departure  for  Nassau.  You 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  85 

will  therefore  proceed  with  St.  lago  de  Cuba,  under 
your  command,  to  that  port;  and  after  receiving  from 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Temple,  of  the  Flambeau,  all 
the  information  he  may  have  to  impart  to  you,  you 
will  communicate  with  the  United  States  Consul  at 
Nassau,  and  get  in  an  official  form  all  the  facts  touch 
ing  the  subject  matter  of  the  Consul-General's  dispatch. 

You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  letters  and  ex 
tracts  from  the  Consulate  in  London,  that  the  Glad 
iator  has  been  purchased  by  the  rebels,  and  the  vessel 
and  cargo  are  rebel  property,  notwithstanding  her 
English  papers.  She  would  be  therefore  open  to 
capture,  according  to  British  rule  and  practice,  one 
marine  league  from  any  British  possession ;  but  she 
is  loaded  with  contraband -of- war  for  the  rebel 
States,  and  you  will  make  prize  of  her  for  this,  and 
send  her  to  New  York  to  be  libeled.  You  will,  like 
wise,  inform  Lieutenant  Commander  Temple  of  this 
fact,  and  direct  him  to  make  a  prize  of  the  Glad 
iator,  under  the  above-mentioned  circumstances. 

Notwithstanding  the  most  unfriendly  and  indefensi 
ble  procedure  on  the  part  of  the  authorities  at  Nas 
sau,  as  set  forth  by  Consul- General  Shufeldt's  letter 
to  you,  you  will  observe  the  utmost  forbearance  and 
discretion  in  all  your  intercourse  with  those  authori 
ties.  At  the  same  time,  I  rely  with  entire  confidence 
upon  your  firmness  and  judgment  to  sustain  our  rights 
as  a  people,  and  as  belligerents  upon  the  ocean,  when 
ever  any  unauthorized  attempts  may  be  made  to  en 
croach  upon  them.  I  leave  to  your  sound  discretion  your 
own  movements  after  communicating  as  .  above  directed 
with  Lieutenant  Commander  Temple  and  the  United 
States  Consul  at  Nassau,  whether  to  return  here  with 
information  to  me,  or  to  the  Havana,  or  to  go  direct 


86  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

to  Baltimore  with  dispatches  to  the  Navy  Department; 
in  case  of  the  latter,  showing  these  orders  as  your 
authority  for  so  doing. 

Should  the  cargo  of  the  Gladiator  be  transhipped, 
whether  at  Nassau  or  Havana,  I  shall  want  early  in 
formation  of  that  fact. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  Dec.  23d,  1861. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  the  De 
partment  that  the  main  channel  leading  into  Charleston 
harbor  has  been  obstructed  by  the  sinking  of  a  por 
tion  of  the  stone  hulks  sent  but  for  this  purpose. 

I  entrusted  this  work  to  the  scientific  skill  of 
Captain  Davis,  my  Fleet  Captain ;  and  the  Department 
will  perceive  by  his  interesting  report,  herewith  en 
closed,  that  he  has  performed  the  task  with  his  ac 
customed  ability. 

Apprehending  that  an  attempt  would  be  made  to 
injure  the  defenceless  ships  and  persons  unavoidably 
exposed  in  front,  I  desired  Captain  Davis  to  take  with 
him  the  Mohican,  Commander  Godon,  the  Ottawa, 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Stevens,  and  the  Pocahontas, 
Lieutenant  Commander  Balch,  as  a  covering  force. 
These  were  judiciously  placed  so  as  to  bring  cross 
fires  to  bear ;  but  the  enemy's  steamers  appeared  only 
at  a  distance. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  8/ 

I  have  projects  for  the  disposal  of  others  of  the 
stone  vessels,  deferring  the  execution  of  them  until 
further  operations  are  determined  upon. 

Besides   the   disposition  of    those  on  the  Charleston 
bar,  I   have  applied  eight  more  to  very  useful  purposes. 
Twenty-four   of   the   first  fleet   have   thus  been  disposed 
of.     The    Department   is   aware   that   one   put   back. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  23d,  1861. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  after  due  consideration  I  determined  to 
modify  the  fifth  rule  of  the  "  Blockading  Instructions" 
heretofore  issued  to  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
vessels  under  my  command. 

I  was  induced  to  do  this  in  consequence  of  the 
commanding  officer  of  one  of  the  blockading  squadron, 
considering  himself  bound  under  the  former  rule, 
warning  off  a  vessel  bound  for  one  of  the  blockaded 
ports,  with  coal  on  board,  and  money  in  her  coffers 
to  purchase  cotton,  instead  of  seizing  her  and  sending 
her  in  for  adjudication,  the  captain  of  the  vessel  having 
admitted  that  he  intended  to  run  the  blockade  and 
obtain  a  cargo  of  cotton. 

The    modified   rule   is   as    follows : 

"  Every  vessel  proceeding  towards  a  blockaded 
port  is  to  be  boarded  and  examined,  and  if  on  such 


88  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

examination  any  irregularity  appears  in  her  papers,  or 
there  are  discovered  any  suspicious  circumstances  at 
tending  her  position  or  her  cargo,  and  particularly  if 
she  had  any  knowledge  of  the  blockade,  such  vessel 
is  to  be  seized  and  sent  in  for  adjudication." 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  24th,  1861. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  Since  my  last  report  upon  the  disposition 
of  the  blockading  vessels,  such  changes  have  taken 
place  as  to  make  another  report  necessary,  in  order  to 
keep  the  Department  informed  on  this  subject. 

At  present   there   are   stationed : 

Off  Georgetown,  the  steamers  James  Adger  and 
Augusta,  and  the  sailing  bark  the  Gem  of  the  Sea. 

Off  Charleston,  the  steam  sloop  Mohican,  the 
steamer  Florida,  and  the  sailing  bark  Roebuck. 

Off  Stono,  the    gunboat    Pocahontas. 

In  North  Edisto,  the  gunboats  Seneca  and  Penguin. 

In  St.  Helena  Sound,  the  armed  steamer  Isaac 
Smith,  and  the  sailing  sloop-of-war  Dale.  These  vessels 
command  South  Edisto. 

In  Tybee  Roads,  the  steam  sloop  Pawnee,  the 
steamer  Wyandotte,  the  gunboat  Ottawa,  and  the  armed 
tugs  Ellen  and  Henry  Andrews. 

Off  or  inside  of  Wassaw  and  Ossibaw,  the  steam 
sloop  Seminole  and  gunboat  Pembina. 

Off  Dobay   and    Sapelo,  the   steamer   Alabama. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  89 

Off  St.  Simon's,  the    frigate   Susquehanna. 

Off  Fernandina,  the   steamer   Bienville. 

The  sloop  Savannah,  withdrawn  from  Tybee  Roads, 
in  consequence  of  her  grounding  at  low  water,  has 
orders  to  form  an  outside  line  of  blockade,  by  cruising 
from  St.  Augustine  to  Tybee  Entrance,  and  the  frigate 
St.  Lawrence  will  proceed  to  sea  to-day  at  noon  on 
the  same  service. 

It  is  my  wish  and  purpose  to  hold  every  inlet 
and  sound  on  the  coast  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia, 
except,  perhaps,  Georgetown  and  Charleston,  by  having 
a  sufficient  number  of  vessels  at  anchor  in  them  at 
all  times.  And,  as  soon  as  the  size  of  the  squadron 
will  admit  of  it,  vessels  will  be  so  stationed  and  fur 
nished  with  supplies,  and  inspected  by  myself,  from 
time  to  time,  as  may  be  necessary. 

This  last  duty  of  personal  inspection  will  be  very 
much  aided  by  having  a  steam  dispatch  vessel  of  con 
venient  size  and  good  speed,  so  that  I  need  not  be 
detained  too  long  from  my  headquarters,  for  which  I 
should  be  greatly  obliged  to  the  Department. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor-,  S.  C.,  Jan.  4th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  the  attention  of  General  Sherman  and 
myself  has  been  drawn  for  some  time  past  >to  the 
design  of  the  enemy  to  shut  up  our  troops  in  Port 
Royal  Island,  by  placing  obstructions  in  Coosaw  river 


9O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

and  Whale  Branch,  by  constructing  batteries  at  Port 
Royal  Ferry,  at  Seabrook,  and  at  or  near  Boyd's  Neck, 
and  by  accumulating  men  in  this  vicinity  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  be  able  to  throw  a  force  of  twenty-five 
hundred  or  three  thousand  troops  upon  any  one  of 
these  points  at  short  notice. 

In  a  confidential  communication  of  the  2Oth  ult 
(a  copy  of  which  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose,  but 
which  the  Department  will  perceive,  on  account  of 
references  to  future  operations,  is  not  suited  for  pub 
lication),  the  General  informed  me  that  the  time  had 
arrived  for  arresting  peremptorily  the  designs  of  the 
enemy,  and  for  doing  it  in  such  a  manner  as  would 
serve  a  subsequent  purpose ;  and  he  requested  me  to 
furnish  my  quota  of  the  force  to  be  employed  in 
this  combined  operation. 

The  plan  of  conduct  having  been  fully  determined 
in  several  conferences  between  the  Commanders-in-Chief 
and  the  heads  of  the  expedition,  and  the  first  day  of 
the  new  year  having  been  selected  for  the  time  of 
attack,  I  appointed  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  to 
the  command  of  the  naval  forces,  consisting  of  the 
gunboats  Ottawa,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Stevens,  Pem- 
bina,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Bankhead,  and  the  four 
armed  boats  of  this  ship,  carrying  howitzers,  under 
the  charge  of  Lieutenants  Upshur,  Luce,  and  Irwin, 
and  Acting  Master  KempfT,  all  of  which  were  to  enter 
the  Coosaw  by  Beaufort  river,  and  of  the  gunboat 
Seneca,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Ammen,  and  the  tug 
Ellen,  Acting  Master  Commanding  Budd,  both  of  which 
were  to  move  up  Broad  river  and  approach  the  bat 
teries  at  Seabrook  and  Port  Royal  Ferry  by  Whale 
Branch.  The  armed  tug  E.  B.  Hale,  Acting  Master 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  91 

Foster,  under   the    command   of    Lieutenant  Barnes,  was 
afterwards   dispatched   to    Commander    Rodgers. 

The  part  assigned  to  the  naval  force  was  to  pro 
tect  the  landing  of  the  troops  at  Haywood's  planta 
tion  (the  first  point  of  debarkation),  to  cover  the  route 
of  the  advancing  column  and  the  second  point  of 
debarkation,  and  to  assail  the  batteries  on  their  front. 

I  refer  you,  with  pleasure,  to  the  official  reports 
for  the  occurrences  of  the  day;  and  I  have  only  to 
add  that  from  the  note  from  Brigadier -General  Stevens 
(a  copy  of  which  accompanies  this  report),  and  from 
various  other  sources,  I  learn  that  the  naval  part  of 
the  expedition  was  conducted  by  Commander  Rodgers 
with  the  highest  skill  and  ability.  I  have  the  honor 
to  transmit,  herewith,  his  detailed  report,  which  the 
Department  will  read  with  interest. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  8th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  communi 
cation  from  the  surgeon  of  the  Savannah  to  Commander 
Missroon,  in  reference  to  the  scurvy  prevailing  in  that 
ship.  I  believe  all  is  doing  there  to  check  the  progress 
of  the  symptoms,  and  the  Fleet  Surgeon  is  in  receipt  of 
a  valuable  communication  on  the  subject  from  the  chief 
of  the  Medical  Bureau. 

But   I   am    convinced,  however  effective   the  medical 


92  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

treatment  may  be,  if  some  change  be  not  made  in 
the  mode  of  supplying  this  squadron,  that  this  scourge 
will  spread,  rendering  it  incumbent  to  send  the  ships 
North,  which  might  be  fatal  to  our  operations. 

I  find  it  sufficiently  trying  to  spare  a  vessel  on 
account  of  broken  machinery. 

The  supply-steamer  Rhode  Island  passed  Port  Royal 
on  the  nth  of  December,  south,  and  the  Connecticut 
on  the  1 3th,  going  south.  The  latter  ship  has  been 
over  three  weeks  in  New  York,  and  before  her  arrival 
here  will  have  consumed  an  entire  month. 

The  Savannah,  on  being  commissioned,  left  New 
York  on  the  3<Dth  of  May  last,  and  has  had  thirty-seven 
days  fresh  provisions.  I  regret  I  am  scarcely  prepared 
to  make  a  suggestion;  perhaps  a  beef- boat,  with  live 
cattle  and  vegetables,  with  a  corral  formed  on  shore, 
would  come  nearer  to  the  requirement 

I  trust  the  Department  will  not  infer  any  spirit  of 
complaint  in  the  above,  but  only  an  earnest  desire  to 
prevent  a  great  evil  threatening  our  efficiency. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


General  Order  No.  5. 

United  States  Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  ist,  1862. 

On  and  after  this  date  the  following  general  regu 
lations  will  be  observed  by  the  commanding  officers 
of  the  different  vessels  of  this  squadron,  subject  only 
to  such  deviations  as  the  pressure  of  active  war  service 
and  the  class  of  ships  may  render  necessary  or  ex- 


ADMIRAL  S.  f.  DUPONT. 


93 


pedient ;  and  when  the  causes  for  such  deviation  may 
not  be  obvious  to  the  flag  officer  or  senior  officer  present, 
they  must  be  reported,  or  permission  to  dispense  with 
the  regulation  be  asked  for  by  signal  or  otherwise : 

1.  Before    anchoring    or    getting    under    way,    the 
permission    of   the    flag   officer   or   senior    officer  present 
must    be    asked    by    signal ;     and    after    anchoring,   the 
condition    of   the    ship   must   at   once   be   assimilated   to 
that    of   the    flag    ship,  or    that    of    the    senior    officer 
present;  such  as  mooring  or  remaining  at  single  anchor, 
sending    up   or   down   yards,  loosing   sails,  etc. 

2.  Immediately    after    anchoring    the     commanding 
officer    of    the   vessel    will    report    in   person   to  the  flag 
officer   or   senior   officer   present. 

3.  Ships    in    the    presence    of   the    flag    officer    or 
of    any   senior   officer  are   not,  without  his  authority,  to 
be    put   in    a   condition  that  may  prevent  or  retard  their 
proceeding   to    sea   at   any    moment. 

4.  With   the   exception   of   the   morning  and  even 
ing   guns,  no   fire-arms    whatever   are   to    be    discharged 
from    ships    or  boats,  in  the  presence  of   the  flag  officer 
or    senior    officer   present,  without   his    authority. 

5.  No   vessel   arriving  where  the  squadron  is  lying 
will   be   boarded   until   after   a   boat   has  been  sent  from 
the    flag   ship   or   that    of   the    senior   officer   present. 

6.  Certain   days    to   scrub    clothes   and    hammocks 
will  be  designated,  and  strictly  adhered  to,  except  when 
such    regulation    may    interfere   with    necessary   work   on 
board ;    no    clothes    or    hammocks    are   to    be   hung   up 
on    other   days   without   permission. 

7.  The    time   in   the    squadron    will    be    regulated 


94  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

by   the    bell    of   the    flag    ship,  or    that   of   the    senior 
officer   present. 

8.  Vessels   of   the   squadron    on   coming   into   port 
from    service,  for    coal,  supplies,  or    repairs,  will    imme 
diately   proceed  to  procure  them,  and   to    get   ready   for 
sea,  and    when    ready,  to   be   so   reported    by   the   com 
manding    officer. 

9.  Except  by  those  vessels  of   the  squadron  which 
may   arrive    on    Sunday,  no    reports    or    requisitions,  or 
ordinary   business,  will    be    referred    to    the    flag   officer 
on   that   day,  unless    the   exigencies   of   the   public   ser 
vice   require;    and   no    unusual    work   must   be    done  on 
Sunday,  except   for   similar    urgent   reasons. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  21,  1862. 

To  Commander  J.  S.  MISSROON, 

Commanding  U.  S.  S.  Savannah,  Port  Royal  Harbor : 

SIR:  —  I  have  your  communication  of  this  date, 
asking  for  service  in  an  expedition  now  fitting  out,  in 
any  capacity  in  which  you  can  be  useful. 

I  recognize  in  this  application  your  well-known 
spirit  and  earnest  zeal  in  the  cause  we  are  uphold 
ing  ;  but  when  the  Savannah  came  in  from  sea  the 
preliminary  work  had  already  commenced  for  the  ex 
pedition  in  question,  and  an  officer,  junior  to  you,  as 
signed  to  the  command  of  one  of  the  divisions,  which 
would  pertain  properly  to  you  and  to  your  seniority 
were  I  to  acquiesce  in  your  request. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  95 

In  justice  to  this  officer,  and  to  the  matured  plan, 
I  have  to  decline  assenting  to  your  application,  while 
appreciating  most  highly  the  motives  which  prompt  it. 
I  do  this  with  less  reluctance,  because  I  feel  as 
sured  there  will  be  work  for  every  one  in  the  squad 
ron  before  the  accomplishment  of  the  objects  I  have 
in  view  on  this  coast. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  Jan.  236!,  1862. 

To  Lieutenant  ANDREW  W.  JOHNSON, 

ex-officer,  and  others  : 

GENTLEMEN  :  —  I  think  it  my  duty  to  acknowledge 
the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the  22d  inst., 
addressed  to  me  at  the  request  of  Commander  Miss- 
roon,  referring  to  a  newspaper  article  intended  to  im 
peach  the  official  character  of  the  latter. 

Though  appreciating  the  sensitiveness  of  Commander 
Missroon  in  this  matter,  the  article  in  question  caused 
but  a  smile  on  my  part,  who  have  known  so  long 
and  so  intimately  his  high  character  as  an  officer  and 
gentleman,  and  his  patriotic  devotion  under  very  trying 
circumstances,  to  the  cause  of  our  country. 

Yet  it  cannot  but  be  very  gratifying  to  your 
commander  to  have  the  intelligent  and  cordial  refuta 
tion  of  his  commissioned  officers,  so  creditable  to  him 
and  to  you,  and  let  me  add,  as  commander  of  the 
squadron,  so  agreeable  to  myself. 


96  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

I   have   the  honor   to   be,   with    great   respect,    your 
obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 

Lieutenant  ANDREW  W.  JOHNSON,  ex-officer. 

Surgeon  HENRY  O.  MAYO. 

P.  Master  A.  W.  RUSSELL. 

Dr.  JOHN  CORBIN,  Assistant  Surgeon.  » 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  Jan.  28th,  1862. 

To   Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  enclose  the  report  of  Commander  Parrott, 
on  the  disposition  of  the  second  stone  fleet.  All  agree 
that  the  work  was  thoroughly  done ;  and  I  reiterate 
my  commendation,  given  in  a  previous  communication, 
of  Acting  Master  Bradbury,  and  Acting  Master  Webb, 
whose  services  are  spoken  of  in  Commander  Parrott's 
report. 

These  officers  will  go  by  the  first  steamer  to  the 
North,  in  accordance  with  the  Department's  order,  and 
are  worthy  of  anything  the  Department  can  do  for 
them.  I  regret  to  lose  them  from  my  squadron. 

The  Peri,  mentioned  in  Commander  Parrott's  re 
port,  is  safe. 

The  Department  is  misinformed,  I  infer  from  a 
letter  received  last  night,  as  to  the  Isabel  getting  into 
Charleston  by  the  main  channel,  where  the  previous 
fleet  was  sunk.  The  obstruction  there  is  complete, 
and  has  not  been  moved  by  the  late  gales,  the  water 
breaking  clear  across. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  97 

The  Isabel  got  in  by  Maffitt's  channel,  and  as 
that  portion  of  it  included  between  Rattlesnake  Shoal 
and  the  shore  had  been  blocked  up  by  the  second 
stone  fleet,  the  possibility  of  getting  into  Charleston  is 
still  more  circumscribed. 

The  only  channels  remaining  are  the  Swash  and 
a  portion  of  Maffitt's,  and  I  have  never  less  than  three 
vessels  covering  them,  which  now  ride  out  the  gales 
at  anchor. 

Respectfully,  etc. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


General  Order  No.  7. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  Feb.  ist,  1862. 

The  commanding  officers  of  the  vessels  attached 
to  this  squadron  will  give  special  attention  to  all  in 
tercourse  between  the  men  under  their  command  and 
the  various  plantations  in  their  vicinity. 

No  stock  or  provisions  of  any  kind  must  be  taken 
without  paying  a  fair  price  for  the  same  to  the  negroes. 

No  boat  from  any  of  the  ships  of  the  squadron 
can  be  permitted  to  land  anywhere  but  at  Bay  Point 
and  Hilton  Head,  without  a  pass  from  the  Fleet 
Captain. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


98  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  8th,  1862. 

To   Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  I  have  been  making  preparations  for  some 
time  past  for  the  attack  on  Fernandina,  by  calling  in 
the  appropriate  vessels  (which  involved  many  changes 
in  the  blockade),  and  by  filling  up  the  supplies  of 
coal  and  provisions.  In  some  particulars  my  supply 
of  ammunition  is  short;  but  a  movement  like  that 
which  I  have  now  in  contemplation  keeps  so  many 
vessels  idle  during  the  period  of  equipment,  that  I 
shall  not  put  it  off  on  that  account.  I  am  waiting 
now  for  settled  weather.  A  brigade  under  Brigadier- 
General  Wright  forms  part  of  the  expedition,  and  it 
affords  me  great  pleasure  to  say  that  General  Sher 
man  will  accompany  it  himself. 

In  the  meantime  I  have,  in  conjunction  with  the 
military  Commander-in-Chief,  made  a  study  of  the  best 
mode  of  cutting  off  the  communication  between  Fort 
Pulaski  and  the  city  of  Savannah.  For  this  purpose 
a  naval  and  military  reconnoissance  has  been  pushed 
in  boats  on  the  east  side,  through  Cooper  river,  Mud 
river,  and  Wall's  Cut,  into  Wright's  river,  and  on  the 
west  side,  into  Little  Tybee  river  or  Freeborn's  Cut. 

Obstructions  were  met  with  in  Wall's  Cut,  con 
sisting  of  a  double  row  of  piles  and  a  hulk.  The 
former  were  removed  by  the  army  sufficiently  to  clear 
the  passage. 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings  it  was  found 
expedient  to  send  one  or  more  gunboats  into  Wright's 
river,  to  make  a  careful  survey  of  the  passage  round 
Cunningham's  Point  into  Savannah  river,  and  a  survey 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  99 

of  Mud  river.  It  was  decided  by  General  Sherman 
and  myself,  in  conference,  to  make  a  simultaneous  move 
ment  on  the  opposite  side,  through  Freeborn's  Cut  and 
Wilmington  Narrows,  which  should  serve  as  a  demon 
stration  to  cover  up  our  real  purpose  of  an  attack 
on  Fernandina,  and  as  a  reconnoissance  to  answer  the 
following  inquiries :  First,  whether  there  were  any 
troops  or  batteries  on  that  side  of  Wilmington  Island ; 
second,  whether  the  cut  or  narrows  was  navigable  for 
gunboats  with  facility;  third,  whether  the  channels  of 
Savannah  river  could  be  commanded  from  it,  or 
whether  the  distance  across  the  intervening  marsh  was 
too  great;  fourth,  the  direction  and  termination  of  this 
creek  or  narrows  to  the  northward  ;  and  lastly,  whether 
gunboats  could  lie  in  security  in  the  creek  without 
the  efficient  support  of  troops  and  guns  on  shore. 

To  carry  out  these  views  two  of  the  regular  gun 
boats  and  four  of  the  small  armed  steamers  were 
placed  under  the  command  of  Fleet  Captain  C.  H. 
Davis,  who  was  accompanied  by  Commander  C.  R.  P. 
Rodgers. 

The  transports  containing  the  troops  destined  for 
Fernandina  accompanied  the  naval  detachment,  and 
were  left  at  anchor  in  Wassaw  Sound. 

For  the  circumstances  and  results  of  this  demon 
stration  and  reconnoissance,  I  have  the  pleasure  to 
refer  you  to  the  report  of  Captain  Davis,  accompany 
ing  this  dispatch. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


IOO  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  loth,  1862. 

To  Lieutenant  Commanding  A.  C.  RHIND, 

Commanding  U.  S.  S.  Crusader,  North  Edisto : 

SIR: — I  have  your  interesting  report  of  the  /th 
inst,  on  your  occupation  of  the  waters  of  Edisto,  and 
am  much  pleased  with  the  energy  of  your  supervision 
there. 

A  regiment  leaves  early  in  the  morning  for  a 
military  occupation;  on  which  point  they  will  land  I 
have  not  been  informed.  So  far  the  co-operation  and 
harmony  existing  between  the  two  arms  of  the  service 
have  been  most  satisfactory,  and  I  am  sure  will  be 
kept  up,  so  far  as  depends  upon  yourself. 

I  sent  your  dispatch  to  the  Commanding  General, 
who  kept  it  a  couple  of  days,  and  I  presume  it  assisted 
him  in  deciding  where  his  force  should  be  placed. 

I  am  pleased  to  find  that  you  are  giving  proper 
and  kind  attention  to  the  contrabands.  I  will  see  the 
General  as  to  removing  them  from  Botany  Bay  Island. 

Whenever  the  enemy  occupy  houses  for  resort  or 
pickets,  you  are  right  in  shelling  them  out,  and  if  need 
be,  burning  down  the  buildings ;  but  except  from  a 
military  necessity,  I  recommend  sparing  private  prop 
erty. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  IOI 

General  Order  No.  8. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  i3th,  1862. 

Nothing  in  the  suppression  of  this  rebellion  has 
been  more  difficult  to  contend  with  than  information 
conveyed  to  the  enemy  of  projected  movements;  some 
times  by  individuals  holding  places  of  trust,  who  have 
unexpectedly  proved  to  be  correspondents  of  the  press, 
and  not  unfrequently  by  the  publication  of  private 
letters. 

A  recent  glaring  instance  of  the  former,  in  my  own 
command,  has  led  to  my  asking  the  Navy  Department 
to  issue  a  general  order  on  this  subject. 

Until  this  order  is  promulgated,  I  hereby  enjoin  it 
upon  every  officer  and  man  in  this  fleet  to  avoid  such 
a  violation  of  military  propriety,  and  of  the  dictates  of 
an  honest  patriotism ;  for  whether  intended  or  not,  the 
result  of  the  practice  is  to  give  aid  and  comfort  to  the 
enemy. 

This  General  Order  will  be  read  at  muster,  on 
board  of  every  vessel  in  the  fleet. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  I3th,  1862. 

To  Commander  JOHN  RODGERS, 

Commanding  Naval  Force,  Wall's  Cut : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  learned  from  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Ammen  all  the  particulars  of  your  situation,  and  late 
proceedings  in  Wright's  and  Mud  rivers,  and  of  the 


IO2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

happy  success  which  has  attended  the  efforts  of  the 
army  to  plant  a  battery  on  Jones  Island,  at  Venus 
Point. 

I  approve  entirely  of  the  project  explained  in  your 
letter  to  the  Fleet  Captain,  of  placing  a  boom  across 
the  mouth  of  Mud  river,  and  of  mooring  the  Hale  and 
Western  World  in  the  channel  of  the  same  river;  the 
former  across  it  in  such  a  manner  as  to  command 
the  approach  from  Savannah  river,  and  the  latter  boat 
to  sweep  the  right  flank  of  the  battery  over  the  north 
west  end  of  the  Jones  Island. 

After  this  is  done  you  will  please  return  to  this 
anchorage,  bringing  all  the  gunboats  with  all  convenient 
expedition,  except  the  Unadilla. 

Until  some  other  important  operations,  which  have 
been  agreed  upon  between  General  Sherman  and  myself, 
have  been  carried  out,  any  further  works  contemplated 
by  the  army  will  have  to  be  done  with  the  limited 
protection  of  such  vessels  as  it  will  be  in  my  power 
to  leave  behind. 

You  will  not  therefore  be  able  to  go  into  Savan 
nah  river  at  present. 

You  will  leave  Lieutenant  Commanding  Collins 
in  command,  and  furnish  him  with  a  copy  of  these 
instructions. 

I  shall  expect  to  see  you  soon,  by  Sunday  at 
farthest. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  103 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  i8th,  1862. 

To  Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  : —  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  the 
reports  of  Commander  John  Rodgers  and  Lieutenant 
Commanding  I.  P.  Bankhead,  upon  five  infernal  machines 
discovered  in  Savannah  river,  across  the  entrance  to 
Wright's  river. 

Accompanying  these  reports  is  a  drawing  of  these 
machines  in  detail,  which,  examined  in  connection  with 
the  enclosed  reports,  will  render  their  construction  and 
working  perfectly  intelligible. 

Very   respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  ipth,  1862. 

To  Brigadier-General  T.  W.  SHERMAN,  Commanding  Expeditionary 
Corps,  Hilton  Head: 

GENERAL: — I  dismissed  the  messenger  who  brought 
your  note  of  this  morning,  and  ordered  my  barge, 
meaning  to  answer  your  inquiries  in  person,  and  to 
communicate  to  you  some  interesting  details  concern 
ing  our  future  movements.  But  the  heavy  mist,  and 
the  want  of  a  tug  to  take  me  over,  oblige  me  after 
all  to  resort  to  this  less  satisfactory  mode  of  inter 
course.  I  hope  however  to  see  you  soon.  I  have 
perhaps  to  blame  myself  for  not  making  a  formal 
reply  to  your  letter  of  the  26th  ult,  concerning  the 
boats  for  landing ;  though,  if  I  remember  aright,  the 


1 04  OFFIC1A  L  DJSPA  TCHES  OF 

subject  has  not  been  omitted  in  our  personal  inter 
views.  I  will  take  this  occasion  to  say  officially  that 
it  has  always  been  my  intention  to  give  you  the  use 
of  all  the  boats  of  the  squadron  for  landing  your 
troops,  and  to  make  this  operation  in  every  way  easy 
and  secure  by  the  means  in  my  own  hands ;  though 
I  have  certainly  hoped  that  before  this  the  boats  for 
which  you  have  made  a  requisition  would  have  been 
furnished. 

I  have  to  communicate  to  you  a  new  project  for 
landing  the  troops,  which  will  very  much  lessen  the 
difficulties,  —  provided  you  find  no  objection  to  its 
adoption. 

Will  the  two  hulks  in  Wassaw  Sound  be  useful 
to  you  in  the  contemplated  blockade  of  Lazaretto 
Passage?  If  so,  they  are  entirely  at  your  service. 

But   I    hope   to   see   you    to-morrow. 
Very  truly  yours, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal,  Feb.   24th,    1862. 

To  General  SHERMAN,  Commanding  Expeditionary  Corps, 
On  board  United  States  Steamer  McClellan : 

GENERAL:  —  After  receiving  your  note  I  went  on 
deck,  intending  to  go  on  board  the  McClellan  to  see 
you,  but  found  you  had  gone  over  to  the  other  side. 

I  write  therefore  to  say  that  I  have  thought  over, 
most  deeply,  our  conversation  to-day,  and  have  come 
to  the  conclusion,  if  the  plan  suggested  by  you  is 
the  best  to  cut  off  a  retreating  enemy,  which  I  do 
not  myself  see,  but  of  which  you  know  of  course  best,  it 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  105 

is  altogether  un- naval  for  the  capture  of  the  batteries, 
and  these  have  to  be  taken  by  the  smaller  vessels 
after  you  land,  and  whether  you  have  succeeded  or 
not  in  your  object. 

The  squadron  of  gunboats  has  to  go  two  miles 
in  a  narrow  channel  under  a  raking  fire  from  three 
or  four  batteries,  without  knowing  how  far  Fort  Clinch 
is  armed.  Surely,  if  I  can  turn  these  or  pass  them 
on  their  weak  sides,  I  could  hardly  be  justified  in 
taking  any  other  course.  I  therefore  am  of  opin 
ion  the  sound  should  be  first  attempted,  and  if  our 
pilots  are  correct,  we  shall  pass  through  with  all  but 
the  Wabash  and  Susquehanna,  and  land  you  at  Fer- 
nandina,  independent  of  weather.  On  the  coast  the 
landing  could  not  be  effected  if  the  weather  was 
easterly. 

I  shall  hope  to  see  you  at  Tybee  or  Wassaw. 
In  the  meantime  I  shall  order  my  fleet  to  rendezvous 
at  St.  Andrew's. 

Yours    most  truly, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  Feb.  asth,  1862. 

To  General  T.  W.  SHERMAN,  Commanding  Expeditionary  Corps, 
Tybee  or  Wassaw : 

GENERAL  :  —  This  northeast  wind  kills  another  day, 
but  I  think  it  is  well  the  transports  are  not  outside; 
and  in  this  weather  all  landing  on  the  coast  would  be 
out  of  the  question ;  which  reduces  itself  indeed  to  this, 
whether  to  wait  here  or  at  sea ;  beside  giving  infor 
mation  so  much  the  longer  to  the  enemy. 


106  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  thought  I  would  send  a  vessel  down  with  this, 
believing  you  would  be  glad  to  hear,  and  to  know 
that  we  are  only  detained  by  the  wind. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  Feb.  27th,   1862. 

To  General  T.  W.  SHERMAN,  Commanding  Expeditionary  Corps, 
Tybee  or  Wassaw : 

GENERAL:  —  I  have  been  much  tried  by  the 
weather.  The  delay  however  brought  my  ammu 
nition,  but  it  was  under  hay  and  oats,  and  in  spite  of 
all  I  can  do  I  have  to  leave  my  gunboats  to  receive 
it,  who  will  follow,  lest  I  miss  the  tide. 
In  haste,  yours  most  truly, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT. 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 

P.  S.  —  I   leave  with   the  coming   tide,  and    shall  be 
off  Wassaw   to-night    or   to-morrow   morning. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  IO/ 


MEMORANDUM. 

4 

United  States  Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,   S.  C,  Feb.  27th,   1862. 

The  flag  ship  and  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet 
in  this  port  will  be  off  Tybee  Entrance  and  Wassaw 
Sound  to-night  or  to-morrow  morning. 

Captain  Drayton  and  Captain  Gillis  will  please  be 
on  the  lookout  for  signals,  and  be  ready  to  leave  port 
with  the  force  under  their  command  at  a  moment's 
notice,  in  compliance  with  previous  orders.  The  Van- 
dalia  will  remain  in  Tybee  Roads,  and  the  Norwich, 
Wyandotte,  and  Release  will  remain  in  Wassaw  Sound. 

No  prescribed  order  of  sailing  for  the  fleet 
will  be  adopted  until  after  leaving  Wassaw,  when  the 
order  will  be  conveyed  by  signal,  if  necessary. 

Captain  Mather,  of  the  Henry  Andrews,  who 
goes  to  Tybee  and  Wassaw  for  this  purpose,  will  leave 
a  copy  of  this  memorandum  with  Captain  Drayton  and 
Captain  Gillis. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 

P.  S.  —  Captain  Drayton  will  please  take  Acting 
Master  Philemon  Dickinson,  now  on  board  the  Vandalia, 
out  of  that  ship,  and  retain  him  on  board  the  Pawnee 
until  we  meet. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


108  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


CIRCULAR. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  Andrews,  March  ist,  1862. 

ft 

The  order  of  steaming  while  entering  St.  Andrews 
and  passing  through  Cumberland  Sounds  will  be  the 
line  ahead,  in  the  following  succession: 

1.  Ottawa. 

2.  Mohican,  accompanied  by   Ellen. 

3.  Seminole. 

4.  Pawnee. 

5.  Pocohontas. 

6.  Flag. 

7.  Florida. 

8.  James    Adger. 

9.  Bienville. 

10.  Alabama. 

1 1 .  Keystone  State. 

12.  Seneca. 

13.  Huron. 

14.  Pembina. 

15.  Isaac   Smith. 

16.  Penguin. 

17.  Potomska. 

1 8.  McClellan. 

The  special  attention  of  the  commanding  officers 
is  called  to  the  following  particulars : 

ist.  The  vessels  will  observe  the  closest  order 
consistent  with  safety : 

(a)  for    mutual   support. 

(b]  to   take   immediate    advantage   of    the    pilotage 
of   the   preceding   vessels. 

2d.  The  vessels  being  in  the  closest  order,  the 
greatest  caution  will  be  observed  in  firing,  to  avoid 


ADMIRAL  S.  f.  DU  PONT. 


injuring   neighboring   vessels   by   the   blast   of   the   gun, 
and   fragments   of   the   shots. 

3d.  The  utmost  care  will  be  taken  to  insure 
accuracy  of  fire,  and  avoid  a  useless  expenditure  of 
ammunition. 

4th.  The  armed  launches  and  small  armed  steamer 
will  be  disposed  of  by  special  order. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


MEMORANDUM. 

March  ist,  1862. 
(Probably  the  joint  agreement  of  Admiral  Du  Pont  and   Gen.  Sherman.) 

It  is  understood  that  the  transports  are  to  enter 
St.  Andrew's  preceded  by  the  gunboats,  and  to  proceed 
to  the  Cumberland  Sound  by  the  inland  passage.  Ar 
riving  near  the  southern  extremity  of  Cumberland  Island, 
a  portion  of  the  land  force  is  to  be  landed  in  connection 
with  the  howitzers  of  the  navy  and  a  force  of  seamen, 
to  carry  the  batteries  at  that  point,  and  prevent  the 
escape  of  their  garrisons ;  the  gunboats  previously  to 
open  fire  on  these  batteries.  At  the  same  time  the 
remainder  of  the  fleet  will  attack  the  batteries  on 
Amelia  Island,  and  having  silenced  such  of  the  guns 
as  bear  upon  the  Amelia  river,  or  as  soon  as  it  may 
be  safe  to  attempt  the  passage,  the  transports  will  pro 
ceed  to  Fernandina,  or  its  vicinity,  and  land  the  re 
mainder  of  the  troops — a  gunboat  being  promptly  sent 
up  the  river  to  a  point  where  her  guns  can  control 
the  railroad  crossing  and  bridge. 

Should   there   prove   to   be   a   battery  on    McLure's 


IIO  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Hill,  it  will  probably  have  to  be  silenced  before  the 
transports  can  effect  a  landing. 

After  landing  and  getting  possession  of  the  town, 
further  movements  must  depend  on  the  strength  and 
position  of  the  enemy. 

Should  the  enemy  succeed  in  effecting  a  retreat 
down  Amelia  Island  before  the  troops  can  be  landed, 
a  naval  force  will  be  sent  on  the  outside  to  intercept 
the  retreat  by  firing  across  the  island. 


Memorandum  for   Captain   Lardner. 

Flag  Ship  Mohican, 
Cumberland  Sound,  March  2d,  1862. 

A  contraband  brings  news  that  the  enemy  is 
abandoning  Fernandina.  Captain  Lanier  will  give  the 
particulars  to  Captain  Lardner. 

The  flag  officer  wishes  Captain  Lardner  to  cut  off 
the  retreat  by  sea,  if  any  is  attempted  within  his  reach, 
and  to  command  the  southern  end  of  Amelia 
Island  with  his  guns,  the  railroad  included,  if  possible, 
and  to  endeavor  to  ascertain  if  the  guns  have 
been  withdrawn  from  the  forts  on  the  north  end  of 
Amelia  Island ;  or  in  other  words,  if  the  defences  in 
Fernandina  have  been  abandoned,  and  send  him  word. 
It  is  asserted  that  the  guns  are  carried  in  a  steamer 
through  Nassau  Sound,  outside,  into  the  St.  John's. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  \  \  \ 


Flag  Ship  Mohican, 
Cumberland  Sound,  March  zd,  1862. 

To  Commander  P.  DRAYTON, 

United  States  Ship  Pawnee: 

(Confidential.) 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  information  that  the  enemy 
is  now  abandoning  Fort  Clinch,  and  the  earthworks 
on  Amelia  Island  and  the  south  end  of  Cumberland 
Island,  which  are  in  fact  the  objects  of  this  expedition. 

Instead  therefore  of  waiting  for  daylight  and  the 
morning  tide,  which  are  necessary  to  the  vessels  of 
large  draught,  you  will  proceed  in  haste  with  the 
evening  tide  through  Cumberland  Sound  into  Fernan- 
dina  harbor,  and,  taking  possession,  you  will  exert  your 
self  to  preserve  public  and  private  property,  and  to 
secure  prisoners  and  munitions  of  war. 

A  portion  of  the  troops  will  accompany  you  in 
the  steamers  Boston  and  McClellan.  Major  Reynolds' 
brigade  of  marines  is  also  on  board  the  latter  vessel. 
Under  the  orders  of  General  Wright  the  town  will 
be  garrisoned,  and  the  railroad  seized  and  occupied  by 
the  soldiers  and  marines. 

I  shall  enter  Fernandina  on  the  morning  tide 
through  the  main  ship  channel,  with  the  remainder  of 
the  fleet. 

A  threat  has  been  made  to  poison  the  wells ; 
you  will  please  make  this  known  to  prevent  any  injury 
from  such  an  act  of  barbarism. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


1 1 2  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Mohican, 
Harbor  of  Fernandina,  March  4th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  had  the  honor  to  inform  you  in  my 
last  dispatch  that  the  expedition  for  Fernandina  was 
equipped,  and  waiting  only  for  suitable  weather  to  sail 
from  Port  Royal.  I  have  now  the  pleasure  to  inform 
you  that  I  am  in  full  possession  of  Cumberland  Island 
and  Sound,  of  Fernandina  and  Amelia  Island,  and  of 
the  river  and  town  of  St.  Mary's. 

I  sailed  from  Port  Royal  on  the  last  day  of 
February  in  the  Wabash,  and  on  the  2d  inst.  entered 
Cumberland  Sound  by  St.  Andrew's  Inlet,  in  the  Mo 
hican,  Commander  S.  W.  Godon,  on  board  of  which  T 
have  hoisted  my  flag.  The  fleet  comprised  the  follow 
ing  vessels,  sailing  in  the  order  in  which  they  are 
named : 

Ottawa,  Mohican,  accompanied  by  Ellen,  Seminole, 
Pawnee,  Pocahontas,  Flag,  Florida,  James  Adger,  Bien- 
ville,  Alabama,  Keystone  State,  Seneca,  Huron,  Pembina, 
Isaac  Smith,  Penguin,  Potomska,  armed  cutter  Henrietta, 
and  armed  transport  McClellan,  the  latter  having  on 
board  the  battalion  of  marines  under  the  command  of 
Major  Reynolds,  and  the  transports  Empire  City, 
Marion,  Star  of  the  South,  Belvidere,  Boston,  and 
George's  Creek,  containing  a  brigade  under  the  com 
mand  of  Brigadier-General  Wright. 

We  came  to  anchor  in  Cumberland  Sound  at  10.30 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  2d,  to  make  an  exami 
nation  of  the  channel,  and  wait  for  the  tide. 

Here  I  learned  from  a  contraband,  who  had  been 
picked  up  at  sea  by  Commander  Lanier,  and  from  the 
neighboring  residents  on  Cumberland  Island,  that  the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  1 13 

rebels  had  abandoned  in  haste  the  whole  of  the  de 
fences  of  Fernandina,  and  were  even  at  that  moment 
retreating  from  Amelia  Island,  carrying  with  them  such 
of  their  munitions  as  their  precipitate  flight  would 
allow. 

The  object  of  carrying  the  whole  fleet  through 
Cumberland  Sound  was  to  turn  the  heavy  works  on 
the  south  end  of  Cumberland  and  the  north  end  of 
Amelia  Island;  but  on  receiving  this  intelligence,  I  de 
tached  the  gunboats  and  armed  steamers  of  light  draft 
from  the  main  line,  and  placing  them  under  the  com 
mand  of  Commander  Percival  Drayton,  of  the  steam 
sloop  Pawnee,  I  ordered  him  to  push  through  the 
Sound  with  the  utmost  speed,  to  save  public  and  pri 
vate  property  from  threatened  destruction,  to  prevent 
poisoning  the  wells,  and  to  put  a  stop  to  all  those 
outrages  by  the  perpetration  of  which  the  leaders  in  this 
nefarious  war  hope  to  deceive  and  exasperate  the 
Southern  people. 

In  the  meantime  I  went  out  of  the  sound  and 
came  by  sea  to  the  main  entrance  of  this  harbor. 

In  consequence  of  bad  weather  I  was  unable  to 
cross  the  bar  till  this  morning.  Commander  Drayton, 
in  the  Pawnee,  accompanied  by  Commander  C.  R.  P. 
Rodgers,  with  the  armed  launches  and  cutters,  and  the 
small -arm  companies  from  the  Wabash,  had  arrived 
several  hours  before  me. 

Immediately  on  his  entering  the  harbor,  Com 
mander  Drayton  sent  Lieutenant  White,  of  the  Ottawa, 
to  hoist  the  flag  on  Fort  Clinch,  the  first  of  the  na 
tional  forts  on  which  the  ensign  of  the  Union  has  re 
sumed  its  proper  place  since  the  first  proclamation  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States  was  issued. 


1 1 4  OFFIC1A  L  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

A  few  scattered  musket  shots  were  fired  from  the 
town  by  the  flying  enemy,  when  it  was  discovered 
that  a  railroad  train  was  about  to  start.  Commander 
Drayton,  on  board  the  Ottawa,  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Stevens,  chased  this  train  for  two  miles,  and  fired  sev 
eral  shots  at  it,  aiming  at  the  locomotive,  some  of 
which  took  effect. 

It  is  reported  that  the  Hon.  David  Yulee,  late  a 
Senator  of  the  United  States  from  the  State  of  Florida, 
escaped  from  this  train  and  took  to  the  bush. 

Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers,  pushing  ahead  with 
the  launches,  captured  the  rebel  steamer  Darlington, 
containing  military  stores,  army  wagons,  mules,  forage, 
etc.,  and  fortunately  secured  the  draw-bridge,  which  was 
held  during  the  night  by  the  second  launch  of  the 
Wabash. 

There  were  passengers,  women  and  children,  in  the 
Darlington,  and  the  brutal  captain  suffered  her  to  be 
fired  upon,  and  refused  to  hoist  a  white  flag,  not 
withstanding  the  entreaties  of  the  women.  No  one  was 
injured.  I  send  the  captain  of  the  steamer  home  a 
prisoner.  His  name  is  Jacob  Brock;  he  is  a  native 
of  Vermont,  but  has  been  a  resident  of  Florida  for 
twenty-three  years. 

The  same  night  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  as 
cended  the  St.  Mary's  with  the  Ottawa,  and  took  pos 
session  of  the  town,  driving  out  a  picket  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  town  of  Fernandina  was 
also  occupied  by  a  party  of  seamen  and  marines  from 
Commander  Drayton's  command.  In  both  places  most 
of  the  inhabitants  had  fled,  by  order,  it  is  said,  of  the 
rebel  authorities.  A  company  of  seamen  and  marines, 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  1 15 

under   Lieutenant  Miller,  was    sent  from  the  Mohican  to 
hold    Fort    Clinch. 

It  is  reported  to  me  by  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Downes,  of  the  Huron,  that  the  whole  structure  of  the 
railroad  on  the  Fernandina  side,  including  the  swinging 
draw-bridge,  is  quite  uninjured.  The  rebels  have  done 
some  damage  by  fire  to  the  trestle-work  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  but  I  am  not  yet  informed  of  its 
extent.  Several  locomotives,  baggage  cars,  tenders, 
freight  cars,  and  some  other  property,  besides  that  found 
in  the  steamer  Darlington,  have  been  recovered. 

The  whole  number  of  guns  discovered  up  to  this 
time  is  thirteen,  embracing  heavy  thirty-two  pounders, 
eight-inch  guns,  and  one  eighty  and  one  one-hundred- 
and-twenty-pounder  rifled  guns. 

The  towns  of  St.  Mary's  and  Fernandina  are  unin 
jured.  I  visited  the  town,  Fort  Clinch,  and  the  earth 
works  on  the  sea  face  of  the  island.  It  is  impossible 
to  look  at  these  preparations  for  a  vigorous  defence 
without  being  surprised  that  they  should  have  been 
voluntarily  deserted.  The  batteries  on  the  north  and 
northeast  shores  are  as  complete  as  art  can  make 
them.  Six  are  well  concealed,  are  protected  by  ranges 
of  sand-hills  in  front,  contain  perfect  shelter  for  the 
men,  and  are  so  small  and  thoroughly  covered  by  the 
natural  growth  and  by  the  varied  contours  of  the 
land,  that  to  strike  them  from  the  water  would  be  the 
mere  result  of  chance.  A  battery  of  six  guns,  though 
larger  and  affording  therefore  a  better  mark,  is  equally 
well  sheltered  and  masked. 

These  batteries,  and  the  heavy  guns  mounted  on 
Fort  Clinch,  command  all  the  turnings  of  the  main 
ship  channel,  and  rake  an  approaching  enemy.  Besides 
these  there  was  another  battery  of  four  guns  on  the 


1 1 6  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

south  end  of  Cumberland  Island,  the  fire  of  which  would 
cross   the    channel    inside   the   bar. 

The  difficulties  arising  from  the  indirectness  of 
the  channel  and  from  the  shoalness  of  the  bar  would 
have  added  to  the  defences  by  keeping  the  approaching 
vessels  a  long  time  exposed  to  fire^  under  great  dis 
advantages  ;  and  when  the  ships  of  an  enemy  had 
passed  all  these  defences  they  would  have  to  encounter 
a  well-constructed  and  naturally-masked  battery  at  the 
town,  which  commands  the  access  to  the  inner  anchor 
age.  We  are  told  that  General  Lee  pronounced  the 
place  perfectly  defensible.  We  are  not  surprised  at  this, 
if  true. 

We  captured  Port  Royal,  but  Fernandina  and 
Fort  Clinch  have  been  given  to  us. 

We  had  in  the  expedition  Mr.  W.  H.  Dennis, 
an  assistant  in  the  Coast  Survey,  who  possessed  accurate 
local  knowledge  of  a  part  of  the  ground  we  passed 
over,  of  which  indeed  he  had  made  the  topographical 
map,  under  the  direction  of  the  superintendent.  He 
was  zealous  and  active,  and  it  gives  me  pleasure  to 
mention  him. 

The  Empire  City,  on  board  of  which  was  General 
Wright,  grounded  on  the  bar.  As  soon  as  he  arrived 
(in  another  steamer),  immediate  steps  were  taken  to 
transfer  to  him  the  forts,  and  all  authority  and  pos 
session  on  the  land. 

I  desire  to  speak  here  of  the  harmonious  counsels 
and  cordial  co-operation  which  have  marked  through 
out  my  intercourse  with  this  able  officer.  Our 
plans  of  action  have  been  matured  by  mutual  consul 
tation,  and  have  been  carried  into  execution  by  mutual 
help. 

I    take   great    pleasure    in     reminding    the     Depart- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  1 1/ 

ment  that  one  principal  and  ultimate  object  of  the 
naval  expedition  which  I  have  the  honor  to  command 
was,  in  its  first  conception,  to  take  and  keep  under 
control  the  whole  line  of  the  sea -coast  of  Georgia; 
knowing  (to  use  the  language  of  the  original  paper) 
"  that  the  naval  power  that  controls  the  sea-coast  of 
Georgia,  controls  the  State  of  Georgia." 

The  report  that  the  fortifications  at  St.  Simon's, 
armed  with  heavy  columbiads,  had  been  abandoned, 
which  first  reached  me  at  Port  Royal,  is  confirmed. 
This  being  the  case,  the  entire  sea-coast  of  Georgia 
is  now  either  actually  in  my  possession,  or  under  my 
control ;  and  thus  the  views  of  the  Government  have 
been  accomplished. 

Very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Mohican, 
Fernandina,  Fla.,  March  sth,  1862. 


To  Commander  S.  W.  GODON, 

U.  S.  S.  Mohican 


SIR  :  —  Before  leaving  Port  Royal  information  reached 
me  that  the  preparations  of  this  expedition  had  caused 
the  abandonment  of  the  fort  at  St.  Simon's  Island,  a 
very  strong  work,  and  that  thirty  cannon  had  been 
taken  to  Savannah. 

This  has  been  confirmed  by  two  sources  since. 
You  will  therefore  proceed  with  the  Mohican,  under 
your  command,  taking  with  you  the  James  Adger, 
Commander  Marchand,  and  Potomska,  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Watmough,  to  St.  Simon's  Sound  and  Bruns- 


H8  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

wick,  approaching   with    proper   caution   to   ascertain  the 
correctness  of  the   above    reports. 

You  will  recover  the  lenses  belonging  to  the 
light -house  of  Little  Cumberland  Island  and  St.  Si 
mon's,  said  to  be  in  store  at  Brunswick. 

After  having  ascertained  the  true  condition  of 
things  at  Brunswick,  you  will  dispatch  the  James 
Adger  to  report  to  me  at  Port  Royal. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ORDER. 

Dungeness  House,  March  6th,  1862. 

This  property,  belonging  originally  to  General 
Nathaniel  Greene,  a  Revolutionary  hero,  and  a  native 
of  Rhode  Island,  is  now  the  property  of  his  grandson, 
Mr.  Nightingale.  It  is  now  ordered  and  enjoined  upon 
all  who  may  visit  this  place,  to  hold  every  thing 
about  the  premises  sacred ;  and  in  no  case  to  disturb  or 
take  away  any  article  without  a  special  order  from 
Commodore  Du  Pont,  or  General  Wright. 

JOHN  RODGERS, 

Commander,  U.  S.  N. 

CHARLES  STEEDMAN, 

Commander,  U.  S.  N. 
March  8th,  1862. 

Approved. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  119 


Flag  Ship  Pawnee, 
Fernandina  Harbor,  March  yth,  1862. 

To  Captain  J.  L.  LARDNER,  U.  S.  S.  Susquehanna, 
Off  Fernandina  : 

SIR  :  —  On  the  receipt  of  this  order,  without  waiting 
for  the  mails,  you  will  please  proceed  to  Port  Royal. 

If  everything  is  quiet  there,  and  you  find  you  can 
be  spared,  I  wish  you  to  take  charge  of  the  blockade 
off  Charleston,  embracing  Stono,  Bull's  Bay,  and  George 
town. 

I  consider  it  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the 
blockade  should  be  vigorously  maintained,  and  I  will 
send  you  as  many  vessels  as  can  be  spared. 

The  James  Adger  proceeds  to-day  to  Charleston, 
and  the  Bienville  will  follow  to-morrow,  stopping  how 
ever  at  Port  Royal. 

Please  to  retain  the  Augusta,  Sumter,  and  other 
vessels  now  in  that  station,  until  they  can  be  re 
lieved,  unless  there  should  be  an  absolute  necessity 
to  send  any  of  them  to  Port  Royal. 

Do  not  send  any  mails  from  Port  Royal  south, 
for  any  vessels  except  the  Pawnee,  Florida,  and  the 
four  regular  gunboats. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


120  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Pawnee, 
Fernandina    Harbor,  March  7th,  1862. 

To  Lieutenant  Commanding  STEVENS, 
U.  S.  Gunboat  Ottawa: 

SIR  :  —  I  desire  that  the  St.  John's  river  should  be 
examined  as  far  as  Jacksonville ;  and  I  send  all  the 
light -draft  vessels  which  can  possibly,  by  my  informa 
tion,  cross  the  bar  of  St.  John's.  I  consider  it  a  re- 
connoissance  in  force,  not  knowing  whether  any  bat 
teries  have  been  erected  since  the  evacuation  of  Fer 
nandina,  and  I  wish  you  to  penetrate,  under  a  sound 
discretion,  as  far  as  Jacksonville. 

I  have  requested  Brigadier- General  Wright  to  send 
a  battalion  of  troops  in  a  light -draft  transport,  to  ac 
company  the  expedition;  and  have  desired  him  to  di 
rect  the  commanding  officer  to  put  himself  in  official 
relations  with  you.  These  troops  may  be  of  service 
in  holding,  temporarily,  points  after  you  pass,  or  more 
particularly  to  enable  you  to  examine  the  condition  of 
things  in  Jacksonville,  taking  any  public  property  that 
may  be  there,  destroying  such  as  you  may  not  be  able 
to  carry  off  that  may  be  of  military  importance  to  the 
rebels,  but  respecting  to  the  utmost  private  property. 
It  is  impossible  for  me  to  go  further  into  details  with 
my  present  knowledge ;  but  I  rely  upon  your  judg 
ment  and  discretion  to  carry  out  effectively  the  general 
objects  of  the  expedition.  It  is  not  my  intention  to 
occupy  any  point  on  St.  John's  river,  and  I  expect  the 
troops  to  return  with  you. 

If  the  blockade  of  St.  John's  can  be  maintained 
inside  the  bar  sufficiently  by  one  vessel,  you  will  leave 
on  your  return  the  Isaac  Smith ;  giving  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Nicholson  the  command  in  that  river,  to 
report  as  opportunity  may  offer  to  Commander  Dray- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  121 

ton,  at  Fernandina,  who  is  the  senior  officer  on  the 
coast  of  Florida,  and  the  adjacent  coast  and  waters  of 
Georgia  up  to  St.  Simon's. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  'Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  John's,  March  9th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

(Unofficial.) 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  — I  sent  an  official  dispatch  dated 
the  4th  inst.  to  the  Department,  detailing  events  up  to 
that  time.  The  gunboat  Ottawa  on  the  same  day 
ascended  the  St.  Mary's  river,  about  fifty  miles  above 
its  mouth,  without  meeting  any  resistance.  On  her 
return,  however,  she  was  fired  upon  repeatedly  by 
riflemen  on  the  shore,  whereby  four  of  her  men  were 
wounded.  She  replied  with  grape  and  canister,  killing 
and  wounding  a  number  of  the  enemy. 

Fernandina  is  entirely  in  the  possession  of  the 
army ;  and  St.  Mary's  is  commanded  by  the  Penguin, 
rendering  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  rebels  useless. 

I  dispatched  yesterday  the  gunboats  Ottawa,  Sen 
eca,  Pembina,  Huron,  and  the  steamers  Isaac  Smith 
and  Ellen,  to  St.  John's  river,  with  directions  to  pro 
ceed  up  that  river  as  far  as  Jacksonville,  to  which 
point  it  is  said  the  enemy  has  retreated. 

I  intend  also  to  send  a  vessel  or  two  to  St.  Augus 
tine,  where,  according  to  reliable  information,  there  is 
but  a  small  force  of  the  enemy,  who  are  not  anxious 
to  fight  against  us. 


1 2  2  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

As  soon  as  I  can  give  the  results  of  these  expe 
ditions,  I  will  write  to  the  Department  in  full  ;  though 
I  may  say  in  confidence  that  I  have  no  doubt  we 
have  entire  possession  of  the  whole  coast  of  Florida, 
as  well  as  that  of  Georgia. 

Respectfully   and    truly   yours, 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  I  have  just  communicated  with  the  gun 
boats.  Lieutenant  Commanding  Stevens  reports  three 
batteries  at  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's  river,  with 
guns  in  them,  deserted. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship   Wabash, 
Off  St.  Augustine,  Florida,  March  i3th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  In  my  dispatch  of  the  4th  inst.,  I  had  the 
honor  to  inform  the  Department  of  the  fall  of  Bruns 
wick,  Georgia,  the  capture  of  Fernandina,  Florida,  of 
the  town  of  St.  Mary's,  and  the  river  of  that  name, 
one  of  the  boundaries  between  these  States ;  Cumber 
land  Island  and  Sound  ;  in  short,  the  coast  and  inland 
waters  from  St.  Simon's  southward. 

I  send  herewith  interesting  reports  from  Commander 
Percival  Drayton,  and  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers, 
detailing  the  circumstances  attending  the  capture  of 
Fernandina  and  St.  Mary's ;  and  also  an  interesting  ex 
tract  from  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Commanding  T.  H. 
Stevens,  of  a  reconnoissance  in  the  Ottawa,  up  the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  123 

river   St.  Mary's    for   fifty    miles,  which    report    had    not 
reached    me  when    my    dispatch    was   sent. 

Having  on  the  /th  dispatched  a  division  of  my 
force  to  hold  Brunswick,  consisting  of  the  Mohican, 
Pocahontas,  and  Potomska,  under  Commander  Godon,  I 
shifted  my  flag  from  the  first -named  vessel  to  the 
Pawnee,  and  organized  another  squadron  of  light  vessels, 
embracing  the  four  regular  gunboats,  Ottawa,  Seneca, 
Pembina,  and  Huron,  with  the  Isaac  Smith  and  Ellen, 
under  Lieutenant  Commanding  T.  H.  Stevens,  to  proceed 
without  delay  to  the  mouth  of  St.  John's  river ;  cross, 
if  possible,  its  difficult  and  shallow  bar,  feel  the  forts  if 
still  held,  and  push  on  to  Jacksonville;  indeed,  to  go 
as  far  as  Palatka,  eighty  miles  beyond,  to  reconnoitre, 
and  capture  river  steamers. 

This  expedition  was  to  be  accompanied  by  the 
armed  launches  and  cutters  of  the  Wabash,  under 
Lieutenants  Irwin  and  Barnes,  and  by  a  light-draft 
transport  with  the  Seventh  New  Hampshire  regiment. 

After  arranging  with  Brigadier-General  Wright  our 
joint  occupation  of  the  Florida  and  Georgia  coasts, 
including  protection  from  injury  to  the  mansion  and 
grounds  of  Dungeness,  on  Cumberland  Island,  originally 
the  property  of  the  Revolutionary  patriot  and  hero, 
General  Greene,  and  still  owned  by  his  descendants, 
and  leaving  Commander  Percival  Drayton  in  charge  of 
the  naval  force,  I  repaired  to  this  ship,  waiting  for  me 
off  Fernandina,  and  proceeded  with  her  off  St.  John's, 
arriving  there  on  the  9th. 

The  gunboats  had  not  yet  been  able  to  cross  the 
bar,  but  expected  to  do  so  the  next  day ;  the  Ellen 
only  getting  in  that  evening.  As  at  Nassau,  which 
was  visited  by  Lieutenant  Commanding  T.  H.  Stevens, 
on  his  way  down,  the  forts  seemed  abandoned.  There 


124  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

being  no  probability  that  the  Huron  could  enter,  I 
dispatched  her  off  St.  Augustine,  where  I  joined  her, 
arriving  here  on  the  nth.  I  immediately  sent  on  shore 
Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers,  with  a  flag  of  truce, 
having  reason  to  believe  that  if  there  were  any  people 
on  this  coast  likely  to  remain  in  their  homes,  it 
would  be  at  St.  Augustine. 

I  enclose  Commander  Rodgers's  most  interesting 
report,  which  I  am  sure  the  Department  will  read 
with  satisfaction. 

The  American  flag  is  flying  once  more  over  that 
old  city;  raised  by  the  hands  of  its  own  people,  who 
resisted  the  appeals,  threats,  and  falsehoods  of  their 
leaders,  though  compelled  to  witness  the  carrying  off 
their  sons  in  the  ranks  of  the  flying  enemy. 

This  gives  us  possession  of  a  second  national  fort 
of  strength  and  importance. 

Since  writing  the  above  I  have  received  by  the 
Isaac  Smith  the  enclosed  printed  slip  and  report  from 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Stevens,  of  his  operations  in 
the  St.  John's  river,  giving  details  of  great  interest. 

From  Lieutenant  Commanding  Nicholson,  I  learn 
with  regret  of  the  acts  of  vandalism  on  the  part 
of  the  rebel  commanders  (not  the  people),  in  setting 
fire  to  vast  quantities  of  lumber  and  the  saw-mills  in 
that  region,  owned  by  Northern  men,  supposed  to  have 
Union  sympathies. 

The  Isaac  Smith  has  arrived  opportunely,  as  that 
vessel  can  get  into  St.  Augustine,  while  it  was  doubt 
ful  whether  the  Huron  could  enter. 

The  latter  I  am  sending  to  Fernandina,  with  dis 
patches  to  Brigadier-General  Wright. 

In  all  this  varied  and  difficult  service,  having  to 
contend  with  surf -shores,  dangerous  bars,  and  inland 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  125 

navigation  in  an  enemy's  country,  I  think  it  due  to 
the  officers  and  men  under  my  command  to  say  that  they 
have  on  all  occasions  displayed  great  spirit  and  ability, 
fully  coming  up  to  my  requirements  and  expectations. 
Very  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  Augustine,  Florida,  March  i4th,  1862. 

To  Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  W.  A.  NICHOLSON, 
U.  S.  S.  Isaac  Smith,  off  St.  Augustine  : 

SIR:  —  So  soon  as  the  Isaac  Smith  can  pass  the 
bar,  you  will  proceed  to  St.  Augustine,  and  hold  that 
harbor  and  city  in  the  name  of  the  United  States 
Government. 

The  people  remaining,  some  four-fifths  of  the  pop 
ulation,  are  friendly  or  neutral,  with  probably  some 
portion  hostile  to  the  Union. 

You  will  guard  the  town  from  incendiaries,  give 
protection  to  the  inhabitants,  and  let  them  understand 
that  while  restoring  the  authority  of  the  United  States, 
their  persons  and  property  will  be  respected,  and  that 
a  municipal  government,  established  by  them  according 
to  our  Federal  forms,  will  be  recognized  by  you. 

Major  Doughty  will  land  with  the  Marine  Guard 
of  the  Wabash,  and  with  the  company  of  the  /th  New 

Hampshire    Regiment    under   Captain ,    now   on 

board   your   vessel.      You   will  see  to  their  proper  loca 
tion,  and  give   them   all   the   assistance   in   your   power. 

Major  Doughty   will  be   senior   officer    on   shore. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer. 


126  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  Augustine,  Florida,  March  isth,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR  :  —  Yesterday  I  forwarded  an  interesting  dis 
patch  to  the  Department  by  the  Huron  to  Fernandina, 
with  orders  to  send  it  by  the  first  opportunity  North. 

The  Rhode  Island  arrived  here  early  this  morning, 
and  I  have  directed  Lieutenant  Commanding  Trenchard 
to  stop  off  Fernandina  and  take  on  board  the  mails. 
As  he  has  no  provisions  to  deliver,  he  will  proceed 
North  without  stopping  at  Port  Royal ;  communicating 
however  with  the  light -boat  at  the  bar. 

The.  troops  will  be  landed  at  St.  Augustine  to 
day,  to  protect  the  town  from  being  fired  by  the  rebel 
soldiers,  who  are  supposed  to  be  still  concealed  in  the 
adjacent  country. 

Further  information  from  the  St.  John's  river  is 
satisfactory.  The  burning  of  the  valuable  mills  and 
timber,  with  the  fine  hotel  at  Jacksonville,  and  the 
house  of  Mr.  Robinson,  a  Union  man,  was  by  order 
of  the  rebel  General,  Trapler ;  who,  after  ingloriously 
flying  with  his  forces  from  the  town  with  very  con 
siderable  means  of  defence  at  hand,  sent  a  large  de 
tachment  back  for  this  incendiary  purpose,  on  discov 
ering  that  our  gunboats  had  not  been  able  on  their 
first  arrival  to  cross  the  bar. 

Very    respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  I2/ 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  John's,  Florida,  March  igth,  1862. 

To  Acting  Master  S.  W.  MATHER,  U.  S.  S.  Henry  Andrews, 
Off  St.  John's: 

SIR:  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  Henry 
Andrews,  under  your  command,  off  Mosquito  Inlet,  and 
report  for  duty  to  Acting-Lieutenant  Commanding 
Budd,  of  the  Penguin. 

As  far  as  possible  I  desire  that  the  channel  should 
be  buoyed,  and  that  reconnoissance  be  first  made  in 
boats,  and  if  satisfactory,  that  the  Henry  Andrews  shall 
cross  the  bar  and  blockade  the  inlet  and  Smyrna, 
from  a  suitable  position. 

The  latest  information  from  Smyrna  is  that  a  small 
fort  of  three  guns  has  been  abandoned.  Mosquito  In 
let  has  been  much  resorted  to  for  the  introduction  of 
arms  in  small  vessels,  transhipped  from  English  sailing 
vessels  and  steamers  at  Nassau.  I  am  told  that  the 
"  Caroline"  or  "  Kate"  has  recently  been  there ;  whether 
she  has  left,  you  will  of  course  ascertain,  and  if  not, 
capture  her  and  any  other  vessels  there. 

The  accompanying  letter  contains  information  of 
importance  in  reference  to  large  quantities  of  live-oak 
cut  and  prepared  for  shipment,  but  abandoned  at  the 
time  of  the  breaking  out  of  this  rebellion.  You  will 
take  possession  of  the  same  in  the  name  of  the  Govern 
ment,  and  I  will  endeavor  to  send  at  an  early  day 
a  sufficient  number  of  light -draft  vessels  to  receive 
it,  and  transport  it  to  the  North. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag   Officer. 


128  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship   Wabash, 
Off  St.  John's,  Florida,  March  igth,  1862. 

To  Acting- Lieu  tenant  T.  H.  BUDD,  Commanding  U.  S.  S.   Penguin, 
Off  Mosquito  Inlet  : 

SIR:' — I  send  the  Henry  Andrews,  Acting-Master 
Mather  commanding,  to  report  to  you  for  duty. 

You  will  please  as  far  as  you  can,  buoy  out  the 
channel  and  make  reconnoissances  in  boats  to  ascer 
tain  the  depth  of  water ;  and,  if  satisfactory,  direct  the 
Henry  Andrews  to  cross  the  bar  and  blockade  the 
inlet  and  Smyrna. 

If  the  rebel  steamer  "  Caroline"  or  "  Kate  "  has  not 
left  the  inlet,  capture  her  and  all  the  other  vessels 
found  there. 

From  a  copy  of  a  communication  which  I  have 
furnished  Acting  -  Master  Mather,  you  will  perceive  that 
there  is  said  to  be  large  quantities  of  live-oak  timber, 
ready  cut,  inside  of  Mosquito  Inlet.  If  this  be  so,  I 
desire  that  the  same  should  be  taken  possession  of 
in  the  name  of  the  Government,  and  so  held  until  I 
can  send  some  light -draft  vessels  to  transport  it  to 

the    North. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  John's,  Florida,  March  ipth,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  had  the  honor  to  inform  the  Department, 
in  my  communication  of  the  I3th  inst,  that  I  had 
dispatched  a  division  of  my  force  to  Brunswick  under 
Commander  S.  W.  Godon,  consisting  of  the  Mohican, 
Pocahontas,  and  the  Potomska. 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  1 29 

These  vessels  crossed  St.  Simon's  bar  on  the  8th 
inst,  and  anchored  at  sundown  within  two  miles  of  the 
forts  commanding  the  channel. 

On  the  following  morning,  Commander  Godon, 
with  his  division,  moved  past  the  batteries,  which  he 
soon  discovered  had  been  abandoned,  and  immediately 
sent  Lieutenant  Commanding  Balch  with  three  armed 
boats  to  take  possession  of  the  batteries  on  St.  Si 
mon's  Island ;  and  Lieutenant  Henry  Miller,  of  the 
Mohican,  with  a  suitable  force,  to  take  possession  of 
the  works  on  Jekyl  Island. 

On  St.  Simon's  Island  were  two  batteries,  con 
sisting  of  strong  earth-works,  and  so  arranged  as  to 
command  the  approach  to  St.  Simon's  Sound.  There 
were  twelve  embrasures  and  numerous  well -con- 
structed  magazines.  No  guns  were  mounted,  but  a 
ten-inch  solid  shot  found  near  indicated  the  calibre 
of  some  of  them. 

On  Jekyl  Island  were  also  two  batteries,  of  much 
greater  strength,  however ;  one,  furthest  seaward  and 
commanding  the  main  channel,  was  a  bomb-proof  work, 
constructed  of  palmetto  logs,  sand  bags,  and  railroad 
iron ;  well  supported,  and  braced  from  the  interior  with 
massive  timbers.  It  had  mounted  three  case-mated 
guns,  though  these,  their  carriages,  and  all  ammunition, 
had  been  removed.  The  other  battery,  five  hundred 
yards  landward,  consisted  of  two  casemates,  and  an 
earthwork  capable  of  mounting  four  guns  in  barbette. 
A  magazine  and  a  hot-shot  furnace  were  attached. 

Both    Simon's  and  Jekyl  Islands  had  been  deserted. 

After  examining  the  batteries,  the  vessels  passed 
up  the  sound  to  Brunswick,  and  anchored  off  the 
town.  A  fire  was  observed  near  the  wharf,  which 


I3O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

proved  to  be  the  railroad  depot  and  wharf,  the  work 
of  retiring  soldiers.  Lieutenant  Commanding  Balch, 
with  a  large  force,  covered  by  the  guns  of  the  Po- 
tomska,  landed  at  Brunswick  without  any  show  of  op 
position,  and  hoisted  the  American  flag  on  the  Ogle- 
thorpe  House. 

The  town  was  entirely  deserted :  and  nearly  all 
property  which  could  be  removed  had  been  taken 
away.  The  lenses  belonging  to  the  light -house  at  St. 
Andrew's  and  the  light -house  at  St.  Simon's  (the  lat 
ter  building  having  been  destroyed  by  the  rebels),  could 
not,  after  careful  search,  be  discovered.  The  channel 
buoys  for  the  river  are  still  there,  but  out  of  place. 

Proclamations  were  posted  on  several  public  build 
ings,  urging  the  inhabitants  to  return  to  their  homes, 
and  promising  protection  to  the  property  of  all  good 
citizens,  and  the  party  then  returned  to  their  vessels. 
Nothing  was  removed  from  any  of  the  houses ;  the 
men  under  Lieutenant  Balch's  command  carefully  ab 
staining  from  injuring  or  taking  away  the  private  ef 
fects  of  the  inhabitants.  I  enclose  a  copy  of  Com 
mander  Godon's  interesting  report. 

Very   respectfully  your   obedient    servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  Mosquito  Inlet,  Florida,  March  24th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  report  to  the  Department  some 
casualties  that  have  occurred  to  officers  and  men  be 
longing  to  two  of  the  vessels  of  my  fleet ;  casualties 
as  painful  as  they  were  unexpected ;  but  the  loss  of 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  131 

gallant  lives  has  expiated  the  error  of  judgment  which 
enthusiastic  zeal  had  induced. 

The  Department  was  informed,  after  the  capture  of 
Fernandina,  that  so  soon  as  I  should  take  possession 
of  Jacksonville  and  St.  Augustine,  I  would  give  my 
attention  to  Mosquito  Inlet,  fifty  miles  south  of  the 
latter,  which,  according  to  my  information,  was  resorted 
to  for  the  introduction  of  arms  transhipped  from 
English  ships  and  steamers,  at  the  British  colony  of 
Nassau,  into  small  vessels  of  light  draft. 

I  accordingly  ordered  the  Penguin,  Acting  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  T.  A.  Budd,  and  the  Henry  An 
drews,  Acting  Master  S.  W.  Mather,  to  proceed  to  this 
place,  the  latter  to  cross  the  bar,  establish  an  inside 
blockade,  capture  any  rebel  vessels  there,  and  guard 
from  incendiarism  large,  quantities  of  live-oak  timber 
on  the  Government  lands,  cut  and  ready  for  shipment, 
to  which  the  Department  had  called  my  attention. 

On  reaching  here  myself,  on  the  22d,  I  was 
boarded  by  the  executive  officer  of  the  Penguin,  and 
informed  that  Lieutenant  Commanding  Budd,  with 
Acting  Master  Mather,  had  organized  an  expedition 
from  the  two  vessels,  and  had  moved  southward  through 
the  inland  passage  leading  into  Mosquito  Lagoon, 
passing  Smyrna  with  four  or  five  light  boats,  carrying 
in  all  some  forty -three  men. 

Soon  after  this  report,  which  I  heard  with  anxiety, 
the  results  were  developed.  It  appears  that  after  going 
some  fifteen  or  eighteen  miles  without  any  incident, 
and  while  on  their  return  and  in  sight  of  the  Henry 
Andrews,  the  order  of  the  line  being  no  longer  ob 
served,  the  two  commanding  officers,  quite  in  advance, 
landed  under  certain  earthworks  which  had  been 
abandoned  or  never  armed,  near  a  dense  grove  of  live- 


132  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

oak,  with  underbrush.  A  heavy  and  continuous  fire 
was  unexpectedly  opened  upon  them  from  both  these 
covers.  Lieutenant  Commanding  Budd  and  Acting 
Master  Mather,  with  three  of  the  five  men  composing 
the  boat's  crew,  were  killed ;  the  remaining  two  were 
wounded  and  made  prisoners. 

As  the  boats  came  up  they  were  also  fired  into, 
and  suffered  more  or  less;  the  rear  boat  of  all  had  a 
howitzer,  which  however  could  not  be  properly  se 
cured  or  worked, —  the  boat  not  being  fitted  for  the 
purpose, —  and  could  therefore  be  of  little  use.  The 
men  had  to  seek  cover  on  shore,  but  as  soon  as 
it  was  dark,  Acting  Master's  Mate  Mclntosh  returned 
to  the  boats,  brought  away  the  body  of  one  of 
the  crew  who  had  been  killed,  all  the  arms,  ammu 
nition,  and  flags,  threw  the  howitzer  into  the  river, 
passed  close  to  the  rebel  pickets,  who  hailed  but 
elicited  no  reply,  and  arrived  safely  on  board  the 
Henry  Andrews. 

On  hearing  of  this  untoward  event  I  directed  Com 
mander  Rodgers  to  send  off  the  launch  and  cutters  of 
this  ship,  under  Lieutenant  Barnes,  to  the  support  of 
the  Andrews.  The  boats  crossed  the  bar  at  midnight, 
and  the  next  morning  the  vessel  was  hauled  close  up 
to  the  scene  of  the  late  attack,  but  no  enemy  could 
be  discovered. 

The  bodies  of  Lieutenant  Budd  and  Acting  Master 
Mather  were  received  under  a  flag  of  truce,  and  the 
commanding  officer,  a  Captain  Bird,  who  had  come 
from  a  camp  at  a  distance,  made  some  show  of  cour 
tesy  by  returning  papers  and  a  watch,  as  if  ashamed 
of  this  mode  of  warfare ;  for  these  were  the  troops 
that,  with  sufficient  force,  means,  and  materials  for  a 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


133 


respectable    defence,    had   ingloriously   fled  from    St.  Au 
gustine    on    our   approach. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  my  instructions  to  Acting 
Lieutenant  Budd,  the  original  of  which  was  found  on 
his  person,  and  was  one  of  the  papers  returned  by  the 
rebel  officer. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Budd  and  Acting  Master 
Mather  were  brave  and  devoted  officers.  The  former 
commanded  the  Penguin  in  the  action  of  the  ^th  of 
November,  and  received  my  commendation.  The  latter, 
in  the  prime  of  life,  was  a  man  of  uncommon  energy 
and  daring ;  had  no  superior,  probably,  among  the  pa 
triotic  men  who  have  been  appointed  in  the  navy  from 
the  mercantile  marine. 

Very   respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  Augustine,  Florida,  March  25th,  1862. 

To  G.  A.  PACETTI,  Mayor;  CRISTOBAL  BRAVO,  MATTHIAS 
LEONARDI,  JOHN  S.  MASTERS,  EMANUEL  J.  DE 
MEDICES,  Aldermen ;  MATHEW  SOLANO,  B.  E. 
CARR,  GEORGE  BURT,  DAVID  R.  DUNHAM,  C.  M. 
BRAVO,  NICHOLAS  ROGERO  : 

GENTLEMEN: — It  gives  me  pleasure  to  acknowledge 
the  receipt  of  your  courteous  and  agreeable  note  of 
to-day,  in  which  you  speak  in  most  kindly  and  com 
plimentary  terms  of  Major  Isaac  T.  Doughty,  the  com 
mander  of  marines  on  shore. 

I  will  transmit  to  him  the  expressions  of  your 
regard  and  appreciation. 

In    reference    to    your   application    that   the    Marine 


134  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Guard,  under  Major  Reynolds,  should  be  stationed 
within  your  city,  equally  complimentary,  I  have  to  say 
that  the  disposition  of  forces  on  land  belongs  to  the 
military  commander  of  this  Department,  Brigadier  - 
General  Sherman. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Nicholson,  of  the  United 
States  ship  Isaac  Smith,  will  represent  my  authority 
in  the  waters  in  and  around  St.  Augustine ;  and  I 
am  convinced  that  within  his  province  he  will  aid  in 
every  way  in  his  power,  not  only  to  promote  the 
security  of  the  city,  but  to  contribute,  in  conjunction 
with  you,  gentlemen,  to  its  welfare  in  every  manner. 

I  beg  you,  gentlemen,  to  receive  the  assurance  of 
my  regard  and  sympathy;  and  to  accept  this  acknowl 
edgment  and  appreciation  of  the  position  which  you 
have  assumed  in  the  embarrassing  circumstances  sur 
rounding  you. 

I  remain,  with  great  respect  and  consideration, 
your  most  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  John's,  Florida,  March  20,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  have  to  inform  the  Department  that  I 
have  heard  from  Commander  Godon  of  a  dastardly  and 
concealed  attack  made  upon  a  boat's  crew  of  the  Po- 
cahontas. 

As  I  have  informed  the  Department,  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Balch  visited  the  town  of  Brunswick  with- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  135 

out  anywhere  discovering  an  enemy.  A  reconnoissance 
had  also  been  made  for  some  miles  up  Turtle  Creek, 
with  the  same  results ;  the  rebels  having  apparently 
fled  into  the  interior. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  nth,  Assistant  Surgeon 
A.  C.  Rhoads,  of  the  Pocahontas,  by  permission  of  his 
commanding  officer,  landed  with  a  boat's  crew  near 
the  town,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  some  fresh  beef 
for  the  ship.  Having  accomplished  his  object,  the 
boat  was  returning  to  the  Pocahontas,  but  had  scarcely 
gone  twenty  yards  from  the  beach  when  they  were 
suddenly  fired  upon  by  a  body  of  rebels  concealed 
in  a  thicket,  and  I  regret  to  report  that  two  men, 
John  Wilson  (O.  S.),  and  John  Shuter  (O.  S.),  were 
instantly  killed,  and  seven  wounded ;  one,  William  De- 
laney  (O.  S.),  mortally,  and  two  seriously,  viz.,  William 
Smith  (2d  first-class  fireman),  and  Edward  Bonsall,  cox 
swain. 

After  the  rebels  had  fired  their  first  volley  they 
called  out,  in  most  offensive  language,  to  surrender ; 
but  this  demand  was  refused  by  Dr.  Rhoads,  who, 
with  the  assistance  of  Acting  Paymaster  Kitchen,  and 
his  wounded  boat's  crew,  pulled  as  rapidly  as  he  could 
toward  the  Pocahontas,  the  enemy  continuing  their 
fire. 

In  a  few  minutes  a  shell  from  one  of  the  eleven- 
inch  guns  of  the  Mohican  dropped  among  them,  and 
quite  near  to  another  company  of  about  sixty  men, 
which  was  advancing  rapidly.  The  rebels  scattered  and 
fled  in  all  directions.  Several  shells  were  also  fired  at 
a  locomotive  and  train  observed  in  the  distance,  and 
it  is  supposed  with  effect 

Throughout  this  cowardly  assault  Dr.  Rhoads  dis 
played  great  coolness  and  courage,  and  in  his  report 


136  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

of  the  occurrence,  whilst  commending  the  crew  gene 
rally,  he  especially  mentions  the  bravery  exhibited  by 
Daniel  Harrington  (landsman),  into  which  I  shall  make 
further  inquiry. 

Enclosed  are  the  reports  of  Commander  Godon, 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Balch,  and  Assistant  Surgeon 
Rhoads. 

I  am,   sir,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  John's,  Florida,  March  2ist,  1862. 

To  Hon.  WILLIAM  MARVIN, 

Judge  United  States  District  Court: 

MY  DEAR  JUDGE  :  —  I  have  just  communicated  with 
General  Sherman  on  his  return  from  Jacksonville. 

A  meeting  was  called  there  last  night,  by  the 
citizens,  and  the  strongest  Union  resolutions  passed,  ex 
pressing  the  determination  of  the  people  of  Florida  to 
be  a  part  of  the  Union,  and  condemning  the  Confed 
erate  State  Government  as  never  having  been  approved 
by  the  people  of  Florida. 

The  steamer  Jackson  hove  in  sight  as  I  received 
this  intelligence  from  General  Sherman ;  and  thinking 
it  might  be  agreeable  to  you  to  receive  the  informa- 
mation,  I  send  these  few  lines.  Another  regiment  will 
be  sent  to  Jacksonville  to-morrow. 

The  gunboats  have  been  up  the  St.  John's  a  second 
time ;  finding  the  steamer  St.  Mary's  and  yacht  America 
at  Haw  Creek,  at  the  head  of  Dunn  Lake.  They 
had  both  been  sunk  by  the  rebels,  but  can  be  raised 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  137 

with  ease.       It  seems  the  yacht  was  purchased  to  send 
to    England,  with    Messrs.  Mason   and   Slidell. 

We  have  no  later  news  from  the  North  than  what 
will  be  given  you  by  Captain  Woodhull,  who  passed 
yesterday.  If  what  he  heard  be  true,  as  believed  at 
Jacksonville,  that  Pensacola  has  been  abandoned,  it 
would  indicate  a  combination  of  all  the  rebel  forces  at 
some  fitting  point  at  which  to  make  a  great  and  final 
struggle,  staking  the  whole  issue  on  the  result. 

The  sudden  and  unexpected  victories  in  the  West 
have  produced  this  marvellous  change  in  their  policy 
and  arrogance.  A  Charleston  paper  of  the  I3th  inst. 
tries  to  allay  the  extreme  panic  produced  in  that  city 
by  the  evacuation  of  Manassas,  in  a  brief  paragraph ; 
which,  however,  in  itself  clearly  shows  the  consterna 
tion  prevailing  there  in  consequence  of  this  unexpected 
intelligence.  I  shall  squeeze  them  soon  from  Edisto, 
my  gunboats  having  already  been  up  to  Legare's 
plantation. 

If  Commodore  McKean  should  be  at  Key  West, 
give  my  warmest  regards  to  him. 

With    great    regard,  yours    most   truly, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  March  28th,  1862. 

To   Hon.   GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the   Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR  : —  Since  my  dispatch  of  the  igth  inst,  I  have 
received  another  interesting  report  from  Commander 
S.  W.  Godon,  giving  the  details  of  a  reconnoissance  by 
the  inland  passage  from  Brunswick  to  Darien,  a  copy 
of  which  I  enclose. 


1 38  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Commander  Godon,  with  the  Pocahontas,  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Balch,  and  the  Potomska,  Acting  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Watmough,  with  the  launch  and 
howitzer  of  the  Mohican,  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Miller, 
proceeded  to  open  the  interior  communication  between 
St.  Simon's  Sound  and  the  Altamaha  river.  He  soon 
encountered  an  obstruction,  consisting  of  a  double  row 
of  heavy  piles,  with  their  tops  just  above  water  at 
low  tide.  In  a  few  hours  a  sufficient  number  were 
removed,  and  the  Pocahontas  and  Potomska  passed 
through,  but  had  advanced  only  five  miles  further  when 
another  obstruction  of  the  same  kind  was  met  with. 
After  an  unavoidable  delay,  owing  to  the  rising  of 
the  tide,  this  also  was  removed,  and  both  vessels  en 
tered  the  Altamaha.  As  they  turned  into  the  river, 
two  rebel  steamers  were  seen  moving  off  from  the 
wharf  at  Darien  with  full  head  of  steam,  rendering 
pursuit  useless,  particularly  as  the  brasses  of  the 
Potomska's  shaft-bearing  had  broken,  in  a  measure 
disabling  that  vessel. 

Commander  Godon  learned  from  some  contrabands 
who  came  off  from  shore,  that  Darien,  like  Brunswick, 
was  deserted;  a  company  of  horsemen  only  remaining 
in  the  town,  with  the  intention  of  firing  the  place 
should  the  steamers  approach  it. 

Owing  to  the  crippled  condition  of  the  Potomska, 
Commander  Godon  did  not  deem  it  advisable  to  push 
his  reconnoissance  further;  and,  accordingly,  returned 
through  the  passage  that  he  had  cleared  to  his  an 
chorage  at  Brunswick.  He  visited  a  number  of  plan 
tations  on  St.  Simon's  Island.  With  but  one  excep 
tion,  all  were  deserted,  though  some  time  previously 
fifteen  hundred  troops  had  been  quartered  there. 

Commander     Godon     speaks     in     warm     terms     of 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  139 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Balch,  and  Acting  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Watmough,  as  well  as  of  the  officers  and 
crew  of  the  vessels  under  his  command,  in  which  I 
heartily  concur;  adding  to  these,  however,  commenda 
tion  of  the  zeal  and  ability  of  Commander  Godon 
himself,  in  carrying  out  my  views  in  reference  to  our 
occupation  of  this  important  section  of  the  coast  of 
Georgia. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  Port  Royal,  S.  C.,  March  28th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  On  being  boarded  this  afternoon,  while  en 
tering  Port  Royal  Harbor,  by  Commander  Gillis,  of  the 
Seminole,  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  learn  that  formida 
ble  batteries  at  Skiddway  and  Green  Island  had  been 
abandoned  by  the  rebels ;  the  guns  having  been  with 
drawn  in  order  to  be  placed  nearer  Savannah. 

The  abandonment  of  these  batteries  gives  us  com 
plete  control  of  Wassaw  and  Ossebaw  Sounds,  and 
the  mouths  of  Vernon  and  Wilmington  rivers,  which 
form  important  approaches  to  that  city. 

I  enclose  the  report  of  Commander  Gillis,  and  also 
a  memorandum  of  information  given  by  a  contraband, 
which  may  be  of  some  interest  to  the  Department. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


I4O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  St.  John's,  Florida,  March  2ist,  1862. 

To  Lieutenant  Commanding  T.  H.  STEVENS,  United  States 

Gunboat  Ottawa,  Senior  Officer  in  the  St. 

John's  River,  Florida: 

SIR:  —  Your  several  interesting  communications,  de 
tailing  events  in  the  St.  John's  river,  have  been  duly  re 
ceived;  the  first  one,  dated  the  I3th,  just  before  my  last 
dispatch  to  the  Department;  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  for 
warding  it  to  the  Honorable  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

The  success  of  the  expedition  under  your  com 
mand  has  exceeded  my  expectations ;  and  I  cordially 
approve  of  every  step  you  have  taken  in  carrying  out 
my  general  order;  and  trust  with  you  that  mild  yet 
firm  measures  will  result  in  detaching  Florida  from  this 
causeless  and  wicked  rebellion. 

General  Sherman  has  determined  to  send  another 
regiment  to  Jacksonville,  which  in  all  probability  has 
already  arrived  there. 

I  hope  you  will  be  successful  in  raising  the  sunken 
steamer  St.  Mary's  and  the  yacht  America. 

Your  reconnoissance,  already  so  well  pushed  for 
ward,  will  enable  you  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  the 
amount  of  force  you  will  require  for  the  proper  protec 
tion  of  St.  John's  river,  and  moral  support  to  the 
inhabitants  by  your  presence. 

The  Ellen,  you  are  aware,  is  almost  broken  down ; 
if  you  can  have  her  repaired  at  Jacksonville,  do  so ; 
if  not,  she  must  be  sent  to  Port  Royal.  I  will  see 
to  your  receiving  coal,  provisions,  and  stores,  and  to 
the  forwarding  of  your  mails  with  all  the  punctuality 
I  can  command. 

Respectfully,  etc. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  P.  DUPONT.  141 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  28th,  1862. 

To  Brigadier-General  T.  W.  SHERMAN,  Commanding  Expeditionary 
Corps,  Hilton  Head: 

GENERAL  :  —  I  returned  to  this  harbor  last  evening, 
and  your  letter  to  the  commanding  naval  officer  has 
just  been  brought  to  me. 

Should  there  be  any  truth  in  the  report  of  iron 
clad  vessels,  of  which  I  do  not  believe  a  single  word, 
the  small  tugs  and  launches  would  be  of  little  avail. 

I  must  dispatch  the  Susquehanna  and  Keystone 
State  on  important  duty  to-morrow ;  and  find  it  neces 
sary  to  withdraw  the  boats  of  the  one,  and  a  portion 
of  the  crew  of  the  other,  before  I  could  do  it. 

I  have  written  already  to  withdraw  several  light- 
draft  vessels  now  co-operating  with  the  army  at  Fer- 
nandina,  and  on  the  St.  John's  river. 

General,  whenever  and  wherever  I  can  further  your 
operations  and  plans,  I  shall  ever  be  ready ;  but  you 
must  allow  me  to  say  that  I  never  expected  that  a 
naval  force  could  be  required  to  protect  the  batteries 
on  Venus  Point  and  Bird  Island,  after  they  were  com 
pleted  ;  and,  if  this  be  necessary,  and  General  Viele 
or  yourself  put  any  credit  in  the  reports  alluded  to, 
the  sooner  these  batteries  are  strengthened  the  better. 
I  learn  my  gunboats  are  'aground  nearly  the  whole  of 
the  twenty-four  hours.  Under  such  circumstances  I  am 
not  satisfied  that  is  not  my  duty  to  withdraw  every 
one  of  them. 

One  of  the  tugs  I  require  for  squadron  duty ;  the 
other,  so  soon  as  watered,  will  return  to-morrow. 

I  am,  General,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient 
servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


142  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  29th,  1862. 

To  Brigadier- General  T.  W.  SHERMAN,  Commanding  Expedi 
tionary  Corps,  Hilton  Head,  S.  C. : 

GENERAL:  —  I  have  just  received  copies  of  a  letter 
from  Lieutenant  Commanding  Collins  to  Captain  Lebe- 
naw,  Assistant  Adjutant -General  at  Daufuski,  reporting 
the  appearance  of  an  iron -clad  vessel  under  Fort 
Jackson ;  also  the  copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Viele 
to  you. 

Just  before  receiving  these,  Captain  Hamilton  called 
upon  me,  in  your  name,  to  ask  that  the  two  tugs, 
Pettit  and  Mercury,  should  go  into  the  Savannah  river 
to  give  protection  to  the  sinking  there  of  certain  hulks. 

I  yielded  to  this  request;  but  I  do  not  see  how 
two  small  tugs,  not  intended  for  offensive  purposes,  can 
give  protection  against  Commodore  Tatnall's  steamers, 
whether  there  be  an  iron -clad  vessel  or  not;  and  the 
larger  gunboats  would  in  all  probability  run  aground. 
I  will,  however,  place  these  tugs  at  the  disposition  of 
General  Viele,  who  will,  I  presume,  see  that  they  are 
not  improperly  hazarded. 

In  reference  to  General  Viele's  letter  to  you,  ex 
pressing  the  opinion  that  unless  the  channel  is  closed 
at  once  by  hulks,  or  otherwise,  the  navy  will  lose  the 
greater  part  of  the  blockading  fleet,  I  do  not  under 
stand  whether  the  General  alludes  to  the  blockading 
fleet  on  the  coast,  generally,  or  to  that  portion  of  it 
stationed  in  and  near  Wall's  Cut. 

The  naval  blockade  of  Savannah  river  is  estab 
lished  at  Tybee  Roads ;  the  vessels  in  Wright  and 
Mud  rivers  are  there  at  your  request,  to  assist  the 
batteries,  as  I  understand  it;  having  them  there,  formed 
no  part  of  a  plan  of  mine. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  143 

Will    you    do   me   the   favor,  General,  to   write    me 
what   your   wishes   are   on   the   subject? 

I    am,  General,  respectfully  and  truly  your  obedient 
servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  ist,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  During  a  recent  cruise  in  this  ship  on  the 
coast,  extending  as  far  south  as  Mosquito  Inlet,  east 
Florida,  I  have  endeavored  to  ascertain  the  condition  of 
the  light -houses  as  left  by  the  rebels,  believing  such 
information  would  be  of  interest  to  the  Light  -  House 
Board . 

1st.  The  tower  at  Cape  Roman  is  standing,  but 
the  lantern  and  iron  railing  at  the  top  were  all  broken, 
and  the  apparatus  itself  ruthlessly  destroyed ;  the  block 
ading  officer,  who  landed  under  it,  having  piicked  up 
the  prisms. 

2d.  The  structure  at  Bull's  Bay  seems  to  have 
been  treated  in  the  same  way,  everything  being  reck 
lessly  broken,  down  to  the  oil  cans,  etc. 

3d.  At  Charleston,  the  tower  was  blown  up  last 
winter. 

4th.     At   St.  Helena,  the  tower  was  likewise  blown 
up,  immediately  after   our   occupation   here.     Portions  of 
the   lens   were    recovered   and    sent   North. 

5th.  At  Tybee,  the  Board  is  aware  that  the  tower 
is  standing,  but  the  interior  was  burned,  and  the  Ian- 


144  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

tern  much  injured.  It  is  presumed  the  lens  was  taken 
to  Savannah. 

6th.  At  Little  Cumberland,  the  tower  and  lantern 
are  injured ;  the  lens,  with  that  of  St.  Simon's,  was 
carefully  packed  and  sent  to  Brunswick,  but  the  com 
manding  officer  there,  Commander  Godon,  has  not  been 
able  to  find  them  in  the  store  indicated  by  the  light 
house  keeper  at  Little  Cumberland. 

7th.  The  tower  and  lantern  at  Fernandina  remain 
in  good  order,  but  the  lens  has  not  been  recovered. 
It  is  said  to  have  been  taken  to  Tallahassee. 

8th.  At  the  mouth  of  the  St.  John's,  both  the  new 
and  the  old  tower  are  standing,  the  new  one  in  good 
order.  The  officer  holding  St.  John's  river,  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Stevens,  has  orders  to  search  for  the 
apparatus,  and  collect  all  the  aids  to  navigation.  Many 
of  the  buoys  have  been  found,  including  the  bell  buoy. 

9th.  At  St.  Augustine,  the  tower  is  in  perfect 
order.  The  rebel  collector  who  remained  at  first  denied 
knowing  where  the  apparatus  was,  but  on  my  having 
him  arrested,  with  orders  to  have  him  kept  on  board 
the  gunboat  in  the  harbor  until  it  was  produced,  he 
dispatched  *  carts  to  the  country,  and  it  has  been 
brought  in,  together  with  the  apparatus  belonging  to 
the  Cape  Canaveral  light- house.  They  seemed  to  have 
been  carefully  packed,  and  are  now  in  charge  of 
Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  W.  Nicholson,  on  board  the 
Isaac  Smith.  I  am  not  aware  of  the  intentions  of  the 
Board  as  to  the  re-lighting  this  coast,  nor  am  I  pre 
pared  to  make  any  suggestions  in  reference  to  it. 
Where  we  have  an  inside  blockade,  as  at  Bull's  Bay, 
Edisto,  St.  Helena,  Tybee,  Brunswick,  Fernandina,  St. 
John's  river,  and  St.  Augustine,  it  could  be  done  with 
security,  excepting  perhaps  Bull's  Bay.  There  is,  how- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  145 

ever,  no  commerce  yet,  and  the  men-of-war  and  trans 
ports  have  pilots.  A  regular  buoy  tender  to  avoid  the 
chartering  of  a  vessel  might  be  of  service.  On  the 
whole  we  are  getting  on  well,  and  this  work  might 
be  commenced  more  advantageously  later.  May  I  ask 
how  the  people  in  the  Port  Royal  light -vessel  are  to 
be  paid  ?  The  captain  came  yesterday  to  see  me  about 
it.  As  yet  they  have  had  nothing,  as  you  are  aware. 
Directing  expenditures  outside  of  the  regular  expendi 
tures,  even  in  time  of  war,  is  difficult  to  accomplish; 
but  these  men  are  suffering. 

With  my  best  respects  to  the  individual  members 
of  the  Board,  and  cordial  regards  to  yourself,  I  am 
very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  3d,  1862. 

To  Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  been  deterred  from  pressing  the 
Department  on  a  particular  point,  knowing  how  tre 
mendous  the  calls  are  upon  it  from  every  quarter, 
and  what  gigantic  and  successful  efforts  it  makes  to 
meet  them.  I  can,  however,  no  longer  refrain  from 
stating  that  my  force  is  not  adequate  to  the  work  I 
have  in  hand.  The  occupation  of  the  coasts  of  Geor 
gia  and  Florida,  having  absorbed  so  many  of  my  vessels, 
particularly  where  a  military  force  has  not  been  placed, 
cripples  me  much. 

In    addition    to    this    some    of    my    most    valuable 


146  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

vessels  are  breaking  down  in  their  machinery  and 
hulls;  others,  not  coppered,  will  soon  be  destroyed 
by  the  worms,  if  I  cannot  at  least  beach  them  and 
put  on  some  description  of  coating. 

The  tugs  Mercury  and  Pettit,  most  important  to 
the  efficient  dispatch  of  the  vessels  of  this  squadron 
when  they  come  in  for  supplies,  are  both  with  the 
army  at  Wall's  Cut ;  three  gunboats  besides  are  in 
Mud  and  Wright  rivers,  aiding  in  the  army  defences. 

I  would  thank  the  Department  to  let  me  have 
four  more  vessels  of  light  draft,  of  the  regular  class, 
two  of  the  double -rudder,  and  two  of  the  gunboats, 
and,  in  addition,  two  tugs  like  the  Pettit  and  Mercury. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  April  36,  1862. 

To  Brigadier- General  T.  W.  SHERMAN: 

GENERAL  :  —  I  understand  you  are  transferred  to 
another  military  department,  and  are  about  to  leave 
Port  Royal. 

It  would  be  doing  injustice  to  my  feelings,  and 
to  our  late  intimate  official  relations,  were  I  to  permit 
you  to  depart  without  expressing  the  high  apprecia 
tion  of  the  vigorous  and  harmonious  co-operation  with 
which  you  have  ever  been  ready  to  assist  in,  or  lighten 
the  heavy  responsibilities  of  my  own  command. 

I  shall  remember  our  past  association,  professionally 
and  personally,  with  pride  and  satisfaction;  and  shall 
ever  bear  testimony  to  the  unflagging  zeal  with  which 
you  have  availed  yourself  of  every  means  in  your 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  147 

power  to  secure  an  effective  tenure  of  this  coast,  while 
preparing  a  base  of  operations  which,  with  the  rein 
forcements  you  had  a  right  to  look  for,  would  have 
led  to  more  brilliant,  but  in  no  manner  more  impor 
tant  results  than  those  you  have  accomplished. 

Wishing  you  every  success  in  your  new  sphere 
of  action,  I  am,  General,  with  great  respect,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  3,  1862. 

To  Commander  S.  W.  GODON, 

Commanding  United  States  Steamer  Mohican : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  find  an  extract  from  a  commu 
nication  received  by  me  from  Brigadier  -  General  Ben- 
ham,  who  commands  this  division  of  Major- General 
Hunter's  department.  It  will  assist  you  in  getting  at 
the  condition  of  things  in  and  around  Wassaw. 

The  General  seems  desirous  to  have  some  recon- 
noissance  made  up  Wilmington  river,  and  I  think  it 
would  be  well  to  ascertain  how  matters  stand  there. 
It  should  be  done  with  caution.  I  do  not  wish  you 
to  engage  any  batteries,  but  to  see  if  any  exist. 

I  have  myself  a  greater  desire  to  obstruct  thor 
oughly  the  Wilmington  river,  as  you  are  aware  it  is 
the  only  access  left  from  Savannah  by  St.  Augustine 
creek  to  Wassaw  and  to  the  sea,  except  by  the  narrow 
stream  of  Freeborn's  Cut,  where  the  troops  have  a  hulk. 

I  will  thank  you  to  see  where  piling  or  sinking 
of  wrecks  could  best  be  done ;  how  many  it  would 
require,  with  the  depth  of  water  and  amount  of  labor, 


148  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

etc.,  involved.  It  should  be  strong  enough  to  head  off 
steamers,  and  rams  too,  if  there  be  any.  The  appre 
hension  on  the  latter  subject  seems  to  have  passed 
off  with  the  spring  tides.  A  boat  scouting  party, 
however,  say  they  were  close  alongside  of  a  ram, 
and  heard  the  conversation  of  the  men  at  work  rivet 
ing  the  boilers.  She  is  a  screw. 

With  the  Wilmington  river  closed,  I  could  with 
draw  all  but  one  vessel  from  Wassaw  to  watch  the 
obstructions. 

The  fall  of  Pulaski  alone  does  not  give  us  any 
more  control  of  Wilmington  river.  Captain  Hamilton, 
chief  of  artillery,  informs  me  he  thought  it  would  be 
reduced  in  three  days  from  the  time  fire  was  opened. 
They  have  been  writing  for  the  carriages  of  the  ten- 
inch  columbiads,  which  were  not  sent  out.  The  mor 
tars  are  in  position,  twelve  of  thirteen-inch,  and  some 
of  ten-inch. 

Please  send  by  first  opportunity  your  requisitions 
of  provisions,  etc. 

Very  respectfully/ 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  4th,  1862. 

To  Brigadier-General  H.  W.  BENHAM  : 

GENERAL:  —  If  you  are  forwarding  anything  to 
Wassaw,  may  I  ask  you  to  include  the  accompanying 
dispatch  and  roll  to  the  senior  naval  officer,  for  I  have 
no  steamer  to  send  by  sea. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


149 


The  dispatch  contains  my  instructions  based  on 
your  letter,  a  copy  of  which  I  am  also  sending  to 
Commander  Godon. 

General,  I  wish  I  had  the  means  of  closing  Wil 
mington  river  by  obstructions ;  it  is  now  the  only 
access  to  Wassaw  and  the  sea  from  Savannah.  This 
would  head  off  rams  and  steamers,  and  would  require 
but  one  gunboat  to  watch  the  obstruction. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Saturday,  April  5th,  1862. 

To  Brigadier-General  BENHAM  : 

GENERAL  :  —  I  have  your  favor  of  this  morning, 
and  send  an  order  to  the  commander  of  the  Vandalia 
to  go  round  to  Wassaw,  if  you  think  that  a  more 
important  place  for  her  than  Tybee  Roads.  She  is  a 
pretty  formidable  ship,  and  could  lay  across  the  mouth 
of  Wilmington  river — (a  sailing  vessel,  however).  I  shall 
have  to  send  provisions  down  to  her,  as  she  is  out 
of  everything. 

Since  your  first  letter  about  Wassaw,  I  am  happy 
to  tell  you  that  the  Mohican  has  entered  there.  She 
is  one  of  my  most  formidable  vessels,  having  two 
eleven -inch  guns  and  a  rifle. 

I  will  strain  every  nerve  to  give  you  all  the  aid 
just  now  I  can ;  but  I  have  not  vessels  enough,  and 
particularly  of  light  draft.  I  hear  the  Crusader,  at 
Edisto,  is  out  of  coal.  I  am  very  apprehensive  for 
the  gunboat  I  have  inside  at  Smyrna  (Mosquito  Inlet). 


I5O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I   have    ordered    up    the    Seneca,  a    regular   eleven -inch 
gunboat,  from   St.  John's,  and   expect   her   hourly. 

Please   present    my   regards   to    General    Hunter. 

Yours   respectfully   and    truly,  and    in   haste, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  5th,  1862. 

To  Lieutenant  Commanding  STEVENS,  U.  S.  Gunboat  Ottawa, 
Senior  Officer  in  St.  John's  River :     « 

SIR  :  —  I  have  not  had  an  opportunity  to  write  to 
you  since  the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  28th 
ult,  informing  me  of  your  recovery  of  the  yacht  America. 

I  beg  you  to  receive  my  commendations  and  con 
gratulations  on  this  interesting  service,  in  the  perform 
ance  of  which  you  have  shown  so  much  untiring  de 
termination  and  skill.  I  have  received  from  Lieutenant 
Irwin,  of  whom  you  have  spoken  so  favorably  in  your 
report,  a  full  account  of  the  event. 

Please  convey  my  thanks  to  Acting  Master  Budd 
and  First  Assistant  Engineer  Durgan,  whose  valuable 
assistance  is  also  referred  to  by  you. 

The  historic  interest  which  attaches  to  this  vessel, 
and  the  incidents  attending  her  career  up  to  the  time 
of  your  remarkable  capture  and  recovery  of  her,  make 
me  very  anxious  to  get  her  safely  to  Port  Royal, 
where  I  purpose  to  refit  her  and  send  her  North. 

You  will  therefore  use  your  best  judgment  in  get 
ting  her  towed  off  by  the  first  army  transport  that 
may,  with  the  approval  of  General  Wright,  undertake 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  151 

the  service,  recommending  great  caution  to  the  captain 
in  the  performance  of  it.  If  you  think  any  other  mode 
preferable,  please  suggest  it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  Since  writing  the  within  communication  I 
have  been  informed  through  a  message,  this  moment 
received  from  Brigadier- General  Benham,  that  the  orders 
had  gone  forward  to  withdraw  the  troops  from  Jackson 
ville,  stating  the  occupation  of  it  was  a  military  error. 

I  endeavored,  unofficially,  to  represent  the  political 
requirements  of  Florida,  and  the  necessity  of  holding 
Jacksonville  by  a  respectable  force  in  both  branches ; 
but  this  is  no  longer  a  question.  I  write  to  call  your 
special  attention  as  to  what  may  be  the  effect  of  the 
withdrawal  of  the  troops,  and  you  must  have  a  vigilant 
eye  to  the  safety  of  the  naval  force  under  your  com 
mand. 

You  will  of  course  give  all  the  security  you  can, 
and  hold,  as  far  as  you  are  able,  the  city  of  Jackson 
ville,  and  the  coast  of  the  St.  John's  river;  but  you 
must  not  unnecessarily  hazard  your  vessel  in  guard 
ing  that  which  it  is  the  duty  of  the  army  to  protect, 
if  protection  is  necessary. 

The  blockade  of  the  mouth  of  the  river  is  our  first 
duty,  and  you  will  see  that  this  be  effectually  main 
tained  by  your  force,  whether  inside  or  outside  of  the  bar. 

I  can  not  be  more  specific,  but  I  rely  upon  your 
discretion  and  judgment  in  meeting  this  new  condition 
of  affairs. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


1 5  2  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

2d  P.  S.  —  I  need  hardly  add  that  all  protection 
to  loyal  people  that  you  can  give  will  meet  my  warm 
approval,  even  to  receiving  them  on  board. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  April  6th,  1862. 

To  Major-General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South,  Hilton   Head: 

GENERAL  :  —  I  have  this  moment  received  the  letter 
of  Brigadier- General  Viele  to  Brigadier -General  Ben- 
ham,  referred  by  you  to  me,  and  have  already  made 
signal  to  the  armed  tug  Mercury  to  rejoin  the  naval 
force  at  Wall's  Cut. 

The  Mercury  is  the  only  vessel  I  have  of  which 
the  draft  will  admit  of  going  to  the  support  of  Gen 
eral  Viele.  I  have  no  intention  of  withdrawing  the 
gunboats  in  Wright's  and  Mud  rivers  without  first 
informing  you  of  the  same,  though  I  want  them  much 
elsewhere. 

I  am  looking  hourly  for  the  Seneca,  an  eleven-inch 
cannon  gunboat,  which  I  will  immediately  place  at 
your  disposal. 

The  force  at  Wassaw  I  increased  yesterday  by 
the  Vandalia,  sailing  corvette,  making  four  vessels  there, — 
three  steamers. 

Excuse  the  haste  of  this,  and  believe  me,  General, 
with  great  respect,  yours  most  truly, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F,  DU PONT.  153 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  I3th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR  :  —  The  dispatches  from  the  Commanding  Gen 
eral  of  this  Department  to  the  Honorable  Secretary 
of  War  will  convey  the  gratifying  intelligence  of  the 
fall  of  Fort  Pulaski. 

It  was  a  purely  military  operation ;  the  result  of 
laborious  and  scientific  preparation,  and  of  consummate 
skill  and  bravery  in  the  execution. 

It  would  not  have  pertained  to  me  to  address  you 
in  reference  to  this  brilliant  and  successful  achieve 
ment,  had  not  Major- General  Hunter,  with  a  generous 
spirit  long  to  be  remembered,  permitted  the  navy  to 
be  represented  on  this  interesting  occasion,  by  allow 
ing  a  detachment  of  seamen  and  officers  from  this 
ship  to  serve  one  of  the  breaching  batteries.  I  have 
thanked  the  General  personally  for  this  kindness,  and 
I  desire  at  the  same  time  to  express  my  acknowledg 
ments  to  Brigadier-General  Benham  and  Acting  Brigadier- 
General  Gilmore,  for  acts  of  consideration  shown  by 
them  to  my  officers  and  men. 

I  enclose  the  report  of  Commander  C.  R.  P. 
Rodgers,  who  had  the  honor  to  command  Battery 
Sigel  on  the  second  and  important  day. 

Very   respectfully   your    obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


154  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  aist,  1862. 

To  Brigadier  -  General  H.  W.  BENHAM, 

Commanding  Northern  District  Department  of  the  South, 
Hilton   Head,  S.  C. : 

DEAR  GENERAL:  —  I  have  a  dispatch  from  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Nicholson,  of  the  gunboat  Isaac 
Smith,  dated  St.  Augustine,  April  2Oth  (probably  iQth), 
which  contains  the  following: 

"  No  other  news  except  that  a  party  of  rebels, 
under  Colonel  Davis,  are  still  threatening  the  town, 
awaiting,  as  they  say,  the  gunboats'  leaving.  I  have 
arranged  with  Colonel  Bell,  in  case  of  an  attack,  to  go 
back  to  the  town  with  this  vessel,  if  it  should  take 
place  before  I  get  outside  the  bar." 

I  had  ordered  the  Isaac  Smith  to  the  St.  John's 
river  after  the  fort  had  been  reinforced ;  he  has  been 
waiting  eleven  days  for  sufficient  water  to  cross  the 
bar ;  he  mentions  the  Belvidere  as  detained  for  the 
same  cause.  Colonel  Bell  has  five  guns  mounted,  and 
two  we  captured  in  the  St.  John's  river  have  arrived, 
and  are  being  well  placed. 

General,  you  know  best,  but  these  Floridians  ought 
to  be  well  punished  while  you  are  waiting  for  your 
reinforcements  for  more  important  work. 

Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  inform  the  Major- 
General  that  the  Somerset,  Lieutenant  Commanding 
English,  which  called  in  for  coal  yesterday,  will  leave 
early  in  the  morning  for  Key  West?  She  brought  a 
Herald  of  the  I5th,  one  day  later  than  we  had  by 
the  Atlantic.  I  send  it  with  this  in  case  your  papers 
were  also  only  to  the  I4th. 

I    am,    my   dear  General,  yours   truly, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer,  etc. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  155 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  22d,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  copy  of  a 
report  from  Lieutenant  Commanding  Rhind,  of  the 
Crusader,  detailing  the  circumstances  of  a  concealed 
attack  upon  one  of  his  boats,  in  which  Acting  Master 
Wm.  D.  Uraim  was  severely  wounded. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Rhind,  with  the  co-opera 
tion  of  Colonel  Fellows  of  the  army,  commanding  the 
port  at  North  Edisto,  planned  a  night  attack  upon 
the  enemy,  and  though  not  successful  in  surprising 
them,  had  a  short  engagement  with  the  rebels,  in 
which,  he  says,  "  The  loss  of  the  enemy  I  feel  sure 
was  sufficient  to  punish  them  for  their  cowardly  attack 
on  our  boat." 

Three  of  the  Crusader's  men  were  wounded  in 
this  skirmish,  viz.,  Gustave  Wacker,  O.  S.,  in  the  right 
arm  and  breast;  Theodore  Peterson,  seaman,  wounded 
on  the  hip,  slightly ;  and  James  Wilson,  first  boat 
swain's  mate,  in  the  leg,  slightly. 

Acting  Master  Wm.  D.  Uraim,  who  was  fired  upon 
in  the  boat,  was  wounded  in  the  left  forefinger  and 
right  wrist.  The  finger  has  since  been  amputated. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Rhind  speaks  of  him  as 
an  excellent  officer.  He  is  disabled  for  some  time, 
but  has  no  desire  to  leave. 

The  name  of  James  Wilson,  boatswain's  mate,  is 
also  mentioned  favorably. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


1 5  6  OFFICIA  L  DISPA  TCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,   S.  C.,  April  230!,    1862. 

To   Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  It  has  been  my  intention  for  some  time 
past  to  write  very  fully  to  the  Department  on  the 
subject  of  the  blockade  of  the  Southern  ports  under  my 
command,  but  the  pressure  of  business  has  hitherto  in 
terfered. 

I  have  received  from  time  to  time  dispatches  from 
the  Department,  enclosing  communications  from  our 
ministers  and  consuls  abroad,  referring  to  steamers  and 
sailing  vessels  suspected  of  the  intention  of  running  the 
blockade. 

A  list  has  been  printed  under  my  direction  at 
this  place,  and  a  copy  supplied  to  every  ship  in  my 
squadron,  to  which  are  added  the  names  of  such  ves 
sels  as  are  mentioned  in  subsequent  dispatches. 

In  one  of  my  communications  to  the  Department, 
I  submitted  a  change  or  modification  in  my  instructions 
to  the  blockading  ships,  directing  them  to  board  every 
vessel  proceeding  toward  a  blockaded  port ;  and,  if  on 
examination  any  irregularity  appeared  in  her  papers,  or 
any  suspicious  circumstances  were  discovered  attending 
her  position  or  her  cargo,  and  particularly  if  she  had 
any  knowledge  of  the  blockade,  such  vessel  was  to  be 
seized  and  sent  in  for  adjudication. 

Under  this  general  instruction  no  vessel,  steamer 
or  otherwise,  can  approach  our  coast  without  being 
liable  to  seizure,  no  matter  under  what  flag  she  may 
profess  to  be  sailing ;  and  certainly  no  ship  containing 
contraband-of-war  would  be  allowed  after  examination 
to  escape,  whether  she  be  on  the  list  of  suspected 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  157 

vessels  or  not.  I  merely  mention  this  in  passing,  to 
show  the  Department  that  I  am  fully  prepared  to 
capture  every  vessel  attempting  to  run  the  blockade, 
so  far  as  my  force  and  circumstances  will  permit. 

Much  has  been  said  in  the  papers  at  home  and 
abroad  of  the  utter  insufficiency  of  the  blockade ;  and 
a  too  ready  credence  given  by  our  public  functionaries 
and  our  merchants  to  the  representations  of  parties 
interested  in  making  out  a  case  against  the  Govern 
ment. 

The  list  of  suspected  vessels  in  my  possession, 
made  up  from  various  sources,  comprises  schooners  of 
light  draft,  larger  sailing  vessels,  and  steamers,  amount 
ing  to  about  one  hundred  and  sixty;  and  of  this  large 
number,  how  few  have  ever  run  the  blockade,  or  even 
ventured  to  approach  this  coast!  With  rare  excep 
tions,  only  very  light  craft  and  two  or  three  rebel  steam- 
mers,  with  the  assistance  of  local  pilots  of  long  expe 
rience,  with  concerted  signals  from  row-boats  and  from 
shore,  and  under  protection  of  night  or  dense  fogs,  have 
been  successful. 

The  Bermuda  and  the  Fingal  are  the  only  for 
eign  steamers  that  have  evaded  the  vigilance  of  the 
squadron,  and  as  the  Department  is  aware,  the  former 
is  at  present  at  Bermuda,  not  daring  to  run  the  hazard 
again,  and  the  latter  has  never  made  her  escape  from 
the  Savannah  river. 

The  steamers  Gladiator,  Talisman,  Sidney  Hall, 
Yage,  Cambridge,  Imperative,  Economist,  Southwark, 
Herald,  Bahama,  Minna,  Sedgwick,  and  others,  which 
have  left  the  friendly  shores  of  Great  Britain,  said  to 
be  loaded  with  arms  and  munitions  of  war  of  all  kinds 
for  the  rebels,  seek  shelter  in  the  so-called  neutral 
colonies  off  our  coast,  and,  not  venturing^  to  approach 


1 5  8  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

the  blockaded  ports,  tranship  their  cargoes  into  small 
vessels  of  the  lightest  draft,  provided  in  a  great  meas 
ure  by  the  merchants  of  these  same  colonies,  who 
seem  ever  ready  to  assist  in  any  attempt  to  embar 
rass  the  Government  of  the  United  States. 

The  capture  of  the  forts  at  Port  Royal,  which 
occurred  immediately  after  my  arrival  on  this  station, 
gave  us  possession  of  this  noble  harbor,  and  was  fol 
lowed  shortly  after  by  the  entire  control  of  the  en 
trance  of  the  Savannah  river;  of  Wassaw  and  Ossebaw 
Sounds,  Georgia;  St.  Helena  Sound,  and  North  and 
South  Edisto,  South  Carolina ;  in  all  of  which  an  inner 
blockade  was  effectually  established. 

Other  vessels  of  my  squadron  were  dispatched 
southward  to  guard  the  numerous  inlets  of  Georgia 
and  Florida,  and  northward  to  cover  Stono,  Charleston, 
Bull's  Bay,  and  Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  —  a  very 
extensive  and  difficult  coast  to  blockade,  particularly  in 
the  winter  season,  when,  from  constantly  recurring  gales, 
the  blockading  ships  were  liable  to  be  driven  off  from 
their  stations,  or  on  shore  under  the  rebel  batteries. 

Happily  at  the  present  time  these  difficulties  have 
in  a  great  measure  disappeared  by  the  success  attend 
ing  the  expedition  of  the  last  month,  which  has  re 
sulted  in  the  establishment  of  an  inner  blockade  of 
St.  Catherine,  Sapelo,  Duboy,  and  St.  Simon's  Sounds ; 
Fernandina,  St.  John's  river,  St.  Augustine,  and  Mos 
quito  Inlet ;  thus  closing  the  entire  coast  of  Georgia 
and  Florida  to  all  efforts  of  the  rebels  and  our  neutral 
friends  to  introduce  either  provisions  or  arms. 

During  the  progress  of  this  expedition  I  had 
abundant  evidence  of  the  stringency  of  the  blockade, 
in  the  great  scarcity  of  even  the  necessaries  of  life, 
and  the  very  high  price  demanded  for  both  food  and 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  159 

clothing ;  further  shown  by  the  price-currents  as  given 
in  the  Southern  papers,  the  most  essential  articles 
being  continuously  on  the  rise.  Only  one  small  vessel 
(and  that  was  captured)  had  entered  the  harbor  of 
Fernandina  for  ninety  days  prior  to  our  taking  pos 
session  ;  though,  according  to  the  reports  of  the  rebels 
and  those  interested  abroad,  as  mentioned  in  one  of 
the  consular  communications  from  London  to  the  De 
partment,  it  was  almost  an  "  open  port" ! 

I  claim  to  have  some  experience  in  blockading, 
for  during  our  war  with  Mexico  I  was  much  employed 
in  this  most  arduous  and  often  thankless  duty  on  the 
west  coast  of  that  country.  I  claim  also  to  have  some 
knowledge  of  naval  history  in  connection  therewith ;. 
and  I  therefore  make  the  declaration,  under  a  full 
sense  of  my  responsibility  in  doing  so,  that  no  block 
ade  in  the  history  of  the  world  has  ever  been  more 
effective;  particularly  when  the  extent  and  character 
of  our  coast,  in  all  its  features,  are  considered,  together 
with  the  many  circumstances  rendering  this  service 
most  embarrassing ;  such  as  an  organized  system  in 
Europe,  especially  in  England,  to  evade  it,  with  colonies 
on  our  flank  used  as  intermediary  stations,  to  aid  and 
abet  in  its  violation. 

I  beg  leave  to  remind  the  Department  how  much 
the  difficulty  of  maintaining  a  close  blockade  has  been 
increased  by  the  introduction  of  steam. 

The  Department,  whilst  referring  to  the  blockade 
generally,  has  required  particular  information  as  to  the 
port  of  Charleston.  In  a  dispatch  to  the  Honorable 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  dated  as  far  back  as  the  28th 
of  January,  I  spoke  of  the  sinking  of  the  second  stone 
fleet,  thereby  closing  two  of  the  channels  leading  into 


160  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

that  harbor,  and  guarding  those  unobstructed  by  no 
less  than  three  vessels. 

Since  that  time  the  force  off  Charleston  has  never 
been  diminished ;  but  on  the  other  hand  has  been, 
whenever  practicable,  increased,  and  always  under  the 
direction  of  experienced  officers.  At  the  present  time 
I  have  no  less  than  six  steamers  and  two  sailing 
vessels  off  that  port,  which  I  purpose  still  further  to 
increase. 

In  reference  to  the  resolution  of  inquiry  of  the 
Senate  which  the  Department  has  forwarded  to  me,  I 
presume  the  preceding  statements  fully  cover  the  spirit 
of  it.  As  to  the  assertion  of  the  British  Consul  at 
Charleston  contained  therein  (whatever  may  have  oc 
curred  on  this  coast  in  the  early  days  of  the  rebellion), 
if  it  be  intended  to  apply  to  the  period  of  my  com 
mand,  I  have  only  to  stamp  it  as  one  of  those  ab 
surd  partisan  statements  of  which  this  rebellion  has  been 
so  fruitful. 

The  present  disposition  of  the  blockading  fleet  is 
as  follows : 

Off  Georgetown,  the  steamers  Keystone  State,  Nor 
wich,  and  armed  bark  Gem  of  the  Sea;  Albatross  on 
her  way. 

In  Bull's  Bay,  effectually  preventing  ingress  or 
egress,  the  armed  ship  Onward. 

Off  Charleston,  James  Adger,  Augusta,  Bienville, 
Pocahontas,  Alabama,  Huron,  and  armed  sailing  ships 
Restless  and  Roebuck. 

Off    Stono,  the    Flambeau. 

In    North    Edisto,  the    Crusader  and  E.  B.  Hale. 

In    St.  Helena   Sound,  the    Dale. 

At   Wall's    Cut,  Unadilla   and    Western    World. 

At   Wassaw,  Mohican,  Wyandotte,  and   Vandalia. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  l6l 

At  St.  Catharine,  Sapelo,  Duboy,  and  St.  Simon's, 
Potomska,  Wamsutta,  and  Florida. 

At  Fernandina  and  adjacent  waters,  Pawnee,  Darling 
ton,  and  Hope. 

In   St.  John's    river,  Seneca   and    Pembina. 

At   St.  Augustine,  the    Isaac   Smith. 

At  Mosquito  Inlet,  Henry  Andrews  and  Penguin. 

There  are  at  this  port  the  Susquehanna  and 
Ottawa,  coaling,  to  proceed  immediately  to  Charleston; 
the  Sumter,  repairing  engines  after  seventy  days  ser 
vice  off  Charleston;  the  Madgie,  which  has  just  joined 
the  squadron  in  a  disabled  condition,  and  the  Ellen, 
which,  I  fear,  will  be  found  unfit  for  further  active 
service. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  27th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  I  received  this  afternoon  at  four  o'clock 
the  Department's  order  to  direct  the  Susquehanna  to 
proceed  to  Hampton  Roads,  and  report  to  Flag  Officer 
Goldsborough. 

She  happened  to  be  in  this  harbor  coaling,  and  I 
have  given  orders  to  Captain  Lardner  to  proceed  to 
sea  at  daylight  to-morrow  morning ;  the  state  of  the 
tide  not  enabling  him  to  cross  the  bar  this  evening. 

It  would  be  doing  injustice  to  the  public  interests 
here,  and  to  myself,  did  I  fail  to  say  that  the  with 
drawal  of  this  ship,  and  the  officer  commanding  it,  is 
a  serious  inroad  into  the  efficiency  of  this  squadron. 


1 62  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  had  prepared  to  shift  my  flag  to  her  on  Tues 
day,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  Charleston,  to  see  for 
myself  if  it  was  possible  to  place  the  blockading  ships 
there  in  more  effective  positions. 

Captain  Lardner's  experience  made  his  presence 
there  very  important  to  me. 

The  Susquehanna  is  the  only  vessel,  by  her  ar 
mament,  which  would  cover  the  large  force  of  weak 
vessels  now  off  that  port.  I  have  information  that 
three  iron-clad  gunboats  may  be  soon  expected  from 
France;  boats  of  that  kind  too  are  building  in  Charles 
ton  itself. 

It  has  been  stated  frequently  that  an  iron  ram  is 
at  Savannah,  and  may  come  down  Wilmington  river 
and  attack  the  force  there. 

I  have  information  to-day  that  nearly  all  the  live- 
oak  has  been  burned  at  Smyrna,  —  some  thirty  thou 
sand  feet  of  it.  The  Henry  Andrews  could  not  prevent 
it,  but  landed  her  crew  and  put  out  the  fire.  She  is 
the  only  vessel  that  can  cross  Mosquito  Bar,  and 
troops  should  have  been  sent  out  to  protect  it. 

Further,  the  rebels  are  in  possession  of  Jackson 
ville,  and  my  gunboats  only  control  the  river  below  it. 

A  vessel  ran  into  Darien  a  few  days  since.  I  re 
quire  more  vessels  everywhere.  The  Department  is  send 
ing  me  more  and  more  stringent  directions  in  reference 
to  the  blockade,  directing  courts  of  inquiry  to  be  held 
for  any  infraction  of  it,  and  the  Senate  is  passing  reso 
lutions  reflecting  on  myself  and  my  officers ;  and  I 
appeal  to  the  justice  of  the  Department  if  this  is 
a  moment  to  reduce  my  force,  and  take  from  me  my 
most  efficient  ships  and  my  most  experienced  officers. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  163 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  ad,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  I  am  sure  that  the  Department  is  at  all 
times  desirous  to  know,  from  those  charged  with  im 
portant  public  services,  whatever  in  their  opinion  would 
promote  the  efficiency  of  that  service. 

Under  this  incentive  I  think  it  my  duty  to  inform 
the  Department  that,  considering  its  contiguity  to  the 
seat  of  government,  this  station  is  without  sufficient 
mail  facilities.  The  opportunities  for  communicating 
with  the  Department,  and  receiving  its  orders,  are  en 
tirely  too  limited. 

The  last  mail  brought  us  letters  to  the  I2th,  pos 
sibly  the  1 3th,  of  April,  now  nineteen  days  since ; 
longer  than  is  required  for  the  arrival  of  an  answer 
to  a  communication  from  any  part  of  Europe. 

The  naval  and  military  necessities  for  a  regular 
correspondence  need  not  be  dwelt  upon,  as  the  De 
partment  will  be  fully  alive  to  them  when  it  is  in 
formed  that  there  has  been  a  gradual  falling-off  in 
our  intercourse  with  the  North. 

In  addition  to  the  public  requirements,  the  fact 
of  there  being  some  twenty-five  thousand  men  ashore 
and  afloat,  with  the  anxieties  to  hear  from  their  families 
and  friends,  incident  to  a  war  like  this,  is  a  moral 
reason  worthy  of  consideration. 

I  have  been  greatly  indebted  to  the  Quarter 
master's  department  here,  for  various  facilities  offered 
to  the  squadron  by  the  transports  connected  with  the 
army  since  our  occupation  on  the  coast. 

The    deprivation   to  us  would  have  been  considera- 


1 64  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

ble    but   for  this   readiness    to    oblige    and    further    the 
public   service. 

Our  own  two  supply  ships  we  hardly  look  to; 
the  number  of  points  on  the  coast  they  have  to  visit, 
their  frequent  omissions  to  stop  at  these,  unavoidable 
probably,  the  great  haste  they  are  always  in  when 
they  do  stop,  with  the  interminable  time  they  remain 
in  New  York  after  their  arrival,  have  greatly  impaired 
the  humane  and  considerate  intentions  of  the  Depart 
ment  in  establishing  them. 

If  the  Rhode  Island  could  be  assigned  to  this 
station,  and  the  Connecticut,  the  faster  of  the  two, 
could  go  directly  to  the  Gulf,  —  neither  to  call  at 
Hampton  Roads,  in  daily  intercourse  with  Baltimore, — 
both  stations  would  be  benefited. 

General  Hunter  is  equally  impressed  with  myself 
that  we  are  too  much  isolated  here  now,  and  is  about 
remedying  it  so  far  as  his  means  will  enable  him 
to  do. 

Should  these  views  be  favorably  entertained,  one 
point  I  would  especially  recommend, —  the  importance 
and  convenience  of  having  a  specific  day  and  hour 
of  departure  from  the  North,  to  be  widely  advertised. 

With  the  permission  of  the  Department,  I  would 
respectfully  suggest  that  in  connection  with  the  steamers 
of  the  army,  an  arrangement  could  be  made  for  a 
weekly  mail  from  Port  Royal  and  New  York,  to  leave 
each  place  every  Saturday. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  165 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  6th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  the  De 
partment  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Commanding  D. 
Ammen,  the  senior  officer  in  the  St.  John's  river,  with 
some  enclosures. 

The  Department  will  not  fail  to  see  how  ener 
getically  and  intelligently  this  officer  has  held  control 
of  the  waters  of  the  St.  John's,  notwithstanding  the 
withdrawal  of  the  troops  from  Jacksonville.  This,  too, 
with  so  small  a  force,  which  has  however  penetrated 
again  up  to  Picolata. 

I  commend  him  to  the  especial  notice  of  the  De 
partment. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Nicholson,  of  the  Isaac 
Smith,  was  detained  over  three  weeks  at  St.  Augustine 
before  it  was  possible  for  him  to  get  over  the  bar; 
he  entered  the  St.  John's  river,  however,  on  the  4th 
inst,  as  I  am  informed  by  a  letter  just  received  from 
Commander  Drayton,  who  also  announces  the  arrivaf 
at  Fernandina  of  the  refugees  alluded  to  by  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Ammen. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


1 66  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  loth,  1862. 

To   Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  dis 
patch  of  the  Department  of  the  2d  inst,  referring  to  the 
vessels  which,  according  to  reports  from  the  Consuls 
at  Nassau  and  other  places,  had  run  the  blockade  at 
Charleston. 

In  a  previous  dispatch  I  wrote  very  fully  on  this 
subject  of  the  blockade,  and  do  not  purpose  now  to 
dwell  further  on  it. 

I  have  explained  the  difficulties  of  closing  against 
daring  and  desperate  adventurers  such  a  coast  as  ours, 
and  have,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  asked  the  De 
partment  to  send  me  more  ships  suitable  for  this 
arduous  duty.  I  have  endeavored,  with  the  compara 
tively  small  forces  under  my  command,  composed  in 
part  of  vessels  utterly  unsuited  for  the  purpose,  to 
guard  all  the  ports  within  the  limit  of  my  command, 
and  particularly  the  port  of  Charleston, —  the  only  port 
on  the  whole  coast  where  the  blockade  is  ever  vio 
lated.  This  I  assert  without  fear  of  contradiction. 

I  have  now  eleven  vessels  covering  the  coast  from 
Stono  Inlet  to  Bull's  Bay,  a  distance  of  thirty  miles  ; 
eight  of  these  are  off  Charleston,  an  area  of  thirteen 
miles.  The  officers  are  vigilant ;  there  is  a  spirit  of 
rivalry  between  the  ships  ;  some  of  the  commanding 
officers,  with  suitable  vessels,  are  very  bold  ;  from  sun 
set  to  sunrise  they  are  personally  on  watch ;  the 
blockading  force,  variously  grouped  during  the  day, 
change  their  stations  after  nightfall,  and  these  are  con 
stantly  shifted,  so  as  to  avoid  bearings  being  taken  of 
them  from  the  harbor. 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  l6/ 

They  approach  the  shoals  and  shallow  waters  as 
near  as  their  vessels  will  permit,  and  frequently  draw 
upon  themselves  the  fire  of  the  batteries. 

Yet,  as  I  have  stated  in  a  previous  communica 
tion,  very  small  craft  and  very  light  draft  steamers 
may  still  get  in  and  out.  There  is  no  vessel  in  this 
squadron  that  can  pass  where  they  do  within  a  mile — 
a  distance  sufficient  to  avoid  discovery  on  a  starlight 
night,  shielded  moreover,  as  they  are,  by  the  shadow 
of  the  land  behind  them ;  but  within  the  last  few 
weeks  the  number  of  these  captured  has  been  greater 
than  I  could  have  hoped. 

In  a  list  of  vessels  given  in  a  letter  from  Nassau,  of 
April  nth,  and  published  in  the  New  York  Times  of 
the  1 3th  inst,  as  having  run  the  blockade,  some  are 
stated  to  have  run  out  of  the  St.  John's  river  and 
Fernandina ;  if  they  had  been  announced  as  coming  out 
of  Port  Royal,  and  passing  under  the  yard-arms  of  the 
Wabash,  the  statement  would  be  equally  correct. 

Some  time  back  a  list  of  sixty-five  vessels  furnished 
by  a  commander's  clerk  in  this  squadron  to  a  Philadel 
phia  evening  paper,  as  vessels  suspected  of  an  intention 
to  run  the  blockade,  was  published  by  that  paper  under 
a  caption  in  large  capitals,  "  Vessels  that  have  run  the 
Blockade  ;"  though  only  two  of  the  whole  list  had  suc 
ceeded  in  doing  so, —  the  Bermuda  and  the  Fingal. 

Still,  there  is  room  for  more  steamers  off  Charles 
ton.  I  have  used  my  best  judgment  in  the  distribu 
tion  of  those  I  have  along  the  coast ;  yet  if  the  De 
partment  desires  that  the  blockade  should  be  more 
stringent  and  effective,  I  trust  it  will  supply  me  with 
more  vessels  for  this  purpose. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


1 68  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C  ,  May  I4th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WULLKS,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  enclose  a  report  from  Commander  E.  G. 
Parrott,  brought  here  last  night  by  the  late  rebel  steam 
tug  Planter,  in  charge  of  an  officer  and  crew  from 
the  Augusta.  She  was  the  armed  dispatch  and  trans 
portation  steamer  attached  to  the  engineer  department 
at  Charleston,  under  Brigadier -General  Ripley,  whose 
barge  was  brought  out  to  the  blockading  fleet  by 
several  contrabands,  a  short  time  since. 

The  bringing  out  of  this  steamer,  under  all  the 
circumstances,  would  have  done  credit  to  any  one.  At 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  in  the  absence  of  the 
captain,  who  was  on  shore,  she  left  her  wharf,  close 
to  the  Government  office  and  headquarters,  with  pal 
metto  and  Confederate  flags  flying,  and  passed  the  forts, 
saluting,  as  usual,  by  blowing  her  steam  whistle.  After 
getting  beyond  the  range  of  the  last  gun,  she  quickly 
hauled  down  the  rebel  flags  and  hoisted  a  white  one. 

The  Onward  was  the  inside  ship  of  the  block 
ading  fleet  in  the  main  channel,  and  was  preparing  to 
fire,  when  her  commander  made  out  the  white  flag. 

The  armament  of  the  steamer  is  a  thirty -two- 
pound  pivot,  and  a  fine  twenty  -  four  pound  howitzer. 
She  had  besides,  on  her  deck,  four  other  guns;  one 
seven  -  inch,  rifled,  to  be  taken  the  morning  of  the 
escape  to  the  new  fort  on  the  middle  ground ;  one 
of  them  belonged  to  Fort  Sumter,  and  had  been 
struck  in  the  rebel  attack  on  that  fort,  on  the  muzzle. 

Robert,  the  intelligent  slave  and  pilot  of  the  boat, 
who  performed  this  bold  feat  so  skillfully,  informed 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  169 

me   of   this   fact,   presuming    it   would    be    a   matter   of 
interest   to    us   to   have   possession   of   this   gun. 

This  man,  Robert  Small,  is  superior  to  any  who 
have  yet  come  into  the  lines,  intelligent  as  many  of 
them  have  been;  his  information  has  been  most  in 
teresting,  and  portions  of  it  of  the  utmost  importance. 

This  steamer  is  .quite  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the 
squadron  by  her  good  machinery  and  very  light  draft. 
The  officer  in  charge  brought  her  through  St.  Helena 
Sound  and  by  the  inland  passage  down  Beaufort  river, 
arriving  at  ten  o'clock  last  night.  On  board  the 
steamer,  when  she  left  Charleston,  were  eight  men, 
five  women,  and  three  children. 

I  shall  continue  to  employ  Robert  as  a  pilot,  on 
board  the  Planter,  for  the  inland  waters,  with  which 
he  appears  to  be  very  familiar.  I  do  not  know  whether 
in  the  views  of  the  Government  the  vessel  will  be 
considered  a  prize ;  but  if  so,  I  respectfully  submit  to 
the  Department  the  claims  of  this  man,  Robert,  and 
his  associates. 

Respectfully,  etc. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  iyth,  1862. 

To  Brigadier-General  H.  W.  BENHAM,  Commanding  Northern 
District,  Department  of  the  South,  Headquarters, 
Hilton  Head,  S.  C. 

GENERAL  :  —  I  received  last  evening,  a  communica 
tion  from  Lieutenant  Commanding  Rhind,  with  enclo 
sures  ;  copies  of  which  are  herewith  submitted. 

A   misunderstanding,  somewhat    similar,  occurred   a 


I/O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

short  time  since  in  St.  Helena  Sound,  between  another 
transport  and  Lieutenant  Commanding  Truxton,  of  the 
Dale,  in  reference  to  which  I  wrote  to  Major -General 
Hunter. 

It  is  my  purpose  now  to  issue  an  order  that  the 
ships  of  my  squadron  shall  in  future  avoid  all  inter 
course  with  the  army  transports.  I  prefer,  infinitely, 
giving  up  all  issues  on  the  questions  involved,  con 
sidering  it  of  much  less  moment  for  a  vessel  to  run 
by  and  land  arms  for  the  rebels,  than  that  the  har 
mony  existing  between  the  two  services  should  be  dis 
turbed  in  the  slightest  degree. 

As  intimated  in  my  communication  to  Major- 
General  Hunter,  in  war  times  small  men-of-war  on 
detached  service  may  be  considered  pickets  on  the 
water ;  and,  as  Government  transports  are  frequently 
dependent  upon  them  for  assistance  in  case  of  acci 
dent,  and  for  protection  in  case  of  danger,  their  officers 
should  be  treated  with  ordinary  courtesy  whenever  they 
happen  to  board  them.  The  captains  of  these  trans 
port  steamers  are  much  more  sensitive  than  I  am ; 
for  I  am  stopped  by  your  pickets,  with  my  flag  and 
ensign  flying  in  my  boat,  and  made  to  show  a  pass, 
though  I  have  been  six  months  here  ;  and  this  I  deem 
right. 

But  as  I  said  above,  no  transport  shall  be  boarded 
by  any  vessel  of  this  squadron,  if  she  is  known  to 
be  such ;  and  the  order  will  be  imperative,  whether 
before  or  after  anchoring.  9 

Yet,  General,  I  cannot  pass  over  the  gratuitous 
insult,  not  to  the  boarding  officer  for  any  offence  of 
his,  if  he  committed  one,  but  to  the  navy  generally, 
and  this  squadron  in  particular,  from  myself  down, 
offered  by  the  Captain  of  the  Delaware.  General 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  If  I 

Wright  very  properly  ordered  him  under  arrest,  and  I 
hope  to  have  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  that  he  has 
been  discharged  from  the  Government  service. 

This  is  not  the  first  time  that  my  officers  have 
had  to  complain  of  such  conduct.  The  master  of  the 
Mayflower  grossly  insulted  Commander  Steedman  of 
the  Bienville,  before  you  assumed  the  command.  A 
report  was  made  to  Brigadier -General  Sherman,  and 
to  Captain  Saxton,  Chief  Quartermaster;  but  the  man 
was  in  no  manner  reprehended. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  24th,  1862. 

To  Commander  J.  B.  MARCHAND, 

Senior  Officer  off  Charleston  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  just  anchored  here  from  my  visit 
to  the  Southern  coast,  and  have  received  your  com 
munication  of  the  2 1st. 

I  had  the  pleasure  to  read  your  signal  from  inside 
the  bar  at  Stono,  on  Tuesday  last,  informing  me  that 
you  had  possession,  and  that  the  upper  battery  off 
Legareville  was  abandoned,  as  well  as  that  on  Cole's 
Island.  I  desire,  however,  to  have  control  of  the 
whole  river,  and  I  wish  you  to  proceed  with  the  gun 
boats  and  feel  the  battery  near  Wappoo  Cut,  which 
Robert  Small  represents  as  very  imperfectly  finished 
at  best. 

Captain  Boutelle,  whom  I  am  now  sending  to  con 
vey  this  order  to  you,  will  convey  orders  to  the 
Huron  to  join  your  force  in  the  Stono  river. 


1 72  OFFICIA  L  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Please  accept  my  commendation,  not  only  to 
yourself,  but  to  the  commanding  officers  of  the  gun 
boats,  Lieutenants  Commanding  Collins,  Bankhead,  and 
Creighton,  as  reported  by  you,  for  the  zeal  manifested 
in  this  new  occupation,  which  is  likely  to  become  an 
important  one. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  24th,  1862. 

To  Major  -  General  D.  HUNTER,  commanding 
Department  of  the  South: 

GENERAL:  —  I  have  just  returned  from  a  visit  to 
the  various  points  held  by  the  South  Atlantic  block 
ading  squadron,  extending  from  Georgetown  to  Fer- 
nandina. 

Among  the  official  papers  awaiting  my  arrival, 
was  one  addressed  by  Brigadier- General  Benham  to 
the  senior  officer  left  in  charge  at  this  port.  It  will 
be  sufficient  to  you  to  read  it,  to  see  that  its  tone 
and  character  are  not  such  as  should  be  addressed  to 
an  officer  under  my  command. 

On  your  arrival  here  to  take  command  of  this 
department,  to  prevent  delay  and  circumlocution  in 
matters  of  general  detail,  I  readily  agreed  to  put  my 
self  in  official  communication  with  Brigadier -General 
Benham,  commanding  the  Northern  Division  of  your 
department. 

I  have  now  to  say,  in  virtue  of  my  assimilated 
rank  as  a  Major- General,  I  must  respectfully  request 
you  will  be  pleased  to  convey  to  me  any  of  your 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  173 

plans  and  intentions  in  which  you  desire  to  have  a 
co-operation  with  the  naval  force  under  my  command; 
and  I  trust  I  need  hardly  add  that  I  shall  ever  be 
ready  to  give  you  all  the  aid  in  my  power,  when  the 
regular  duties  of  this  squadron  and  the  orders  under 
which  I  am  acting  will  permit  it. 

I  learn,  verbally,  and  through  unofficial  letters  ad 
dressed  to  Commander  Rodgers,  that  important  move 
ments  are  now  in  contemplation,  but  I  have  never  been 
addressed  on  the  subject,  except  in  a  very  informal 
manner,  and  that  verbally,  some  weeks  back. 

I  am,  General,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obe 
dient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  28th,  1862. 

Commander  J.  B.  MARCHAND,  United  States  Steamer  James 
Adger,  Senior  Officer  off  Charleston  : 

SIR: — ,1  have  received  your  several  reports  writ 
ten  within  the  last  few  days. 

I  take  occasion  to  commend  your  zeal  and  prompt 
itude  in  taking  possession  of  the  Stono  River,  particu 
larly  in  reconnoitering  the  defences  of  Cole's  Island 
in  a  small  boat,  and  drawing  the  fire  of  the  enemy 
upon  you,  at  great  risk  to  yourself  and  boat's  crew. 

I  write  now  to  say  that,  although  I  am  completely 
at  fault  as  to  the  intentions  of  the  army,  I  am  de 
sirous  to  offer  every  facility  in  my  power  towards  their 
operations ;  and  I  desire  you  to  hold  the  Bienville, 
Augusta,  Alabama,  and  Keystone  State  in  readiness  to 


174  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

come   here,   and   transport    the   troops    to   other   points, 
if   required. 

Commander  Drayton  has  just  arrived  from  Fernan- 
dina ;  and  as  the  Pawnee's  draft  admits,  with  care,  of 
her  crossing  the  Stono  bar,  I  have  concluded  to  send 
Commander  Drayton  to  that  river,  in  pursuance  of  the 
information  you  have  forwarded  to  me,  and  of  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Collins's  report  of  the  condition  of 
things  there. 

I  congratulate  you,  and  the  blockading  force  off 
Charleston,  on  its  recent  important  captures,  as  an  evi 
dence  of  your  and  their  zeal  and  vigilance. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  a8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  capture  of 
another  steamer  by  Commander  Mullany,  of  the  Bien- 
ville,  off  Bull's  Island,  yesterday  morning. 

She  was  an  English  iron  screw  steamer  of  five 
hundred  tons,  called  the  Patras,  under  command  of 
Edmund  Elliott.  Before  being  boarded  the  vessel 
showed  English  colors ;  upon  inquiry,  the  captain  re 
ported  that  he  had  no  papers,  was  bound  to  no  par 
ticular  place,  only  "coasting  along." 

The  cargo,  according  to  the  statements  of  the  offi 
cers  and  crew,  consists  of  fourteen  hundred  barrels  of 
turpentine,  fifty  boxes  of  arms,  one  box  of  quinine,  ten 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  1/5 

boxes  merchandise,  eight   hundred   and   forty-eight  bags 
of  coffee,  etc. 

She  was  sent  to  New  York  in  charge  of  Acting 
Master  George  D.  Upham,  of  the  James  Adger,  with 
the  captain  and  two  of  the  crew,  as  witnesses ;  the  rest 
of  the  crew  were  brought  here  in  the  Norwich,  and 
will  be  sent  North  by  the  first  opportunity. 

A  schooner  arrived  in  port  this  evening  from  Key 
West,  and  reports  the  capture  of  the  English  steamer 
Circassian,  by  the  Eastern  Gulf  blockading  squadron. 

By  reference  to  my  list  of  suspected  vessels,  I  find 
included  the  Cambria,  Stettin,  and  Circassian,  but  not 
the  Patras. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  28th,  1862. 

Commander  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Steamer 
Pawnee,  Port  Royal : 

SIR  :  —  Important  events  seem  pending ;  in  connec 
tion  with  these,  the  occupation  of  the  Stono  River  is 
of  moment.  A  few  days  since,  Commander  Marchand, 
senior  officer  off  Charleston,  entered  the  river  with  the 
Unadilla,  Pembina,  and  Ottawa.  The  forts  on  Cole's 
Island  were  found  abandoned ;  also  a  large  work  of 
eighteen  guns  on  the  site  of  "  Old  Fort,"  opposite  Le- 
gareville.  The  river  seemed  clear  a  few  miles  above 
this ;  but  since  then,  as  you  will  perceive  by  the  en 
closed  communications  from  Commander  Marchand  and 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Collins,  the  enemy  has  ap- 


176  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

peared  with  a  floating  hulk,  and   towed  by   steam   tugs; 
the   hulk    armed  evidently   with   a   gun    of    long   range. 

Batteries  higher  up  the  Stono  have  been  reported  ; 
according  to  our  last  and  most  reliable  authority  they 
are  not  yet  completed. 

I  beg  you,  with  your  usual  good  judgment,  to 
examine  into  the  condition  of  things.  The  army  has 
not  yet  informed  me  of  its  intentions ;  but  Stono,  so 
near  to  Charleston,  must  have  become  an  important 
sphere  of  operations. 

The  gunboats  found  it  difficult  to  cross  the  bar 
of  the  Stono  River.  You  will  use  caution  with  the 
Pawnee.  Mr.  Boutelle  is  in  that  neighborhood,  and  Mr. 
Haffards  left  this  morning  in  the  Ellen.  You  are  au 
thorized  to  ask  the  services  of  the  former,  who  is  al 
ways  willing,  and  to  require  those  of  Mr.  Haffards, 
who  is  officially  appointed  pilot  in  this  squadron. 

You  will,  as  senior  officer,  assume  command  of  the 
naval  forces  of  the  Stono  River,  and  will  please  re 
port  your  proceedings,  and  the  condition  of  things,  as 
often  as  you  have  the  opportunity. 

I  congratulate  myself  on  your  opportune  return 
from  your  valuable  services  at  Fernandina,  that  I  am 
enabled  to  send  you  to  this  new  and  important  sphere 
of  our  operations. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  I*]*] 

Flag  Ship  Keystone  State, 

Fernandina,  May  22d,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  AMMEN,  United  States  Steamer  Seneca, 
Senior  Officer,  St.  John's  River,  Florida  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  your  communication  of  yes 
terday,  and  the  enclosed  report  of  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Nicholson,  and  must  again  express  my  approval 
of  the  judgment  and  activity  exercised  by  you  and 
the  officers  under  your  command,  in  holding  the  con 
trol  of  the  St.  John's  River.  I  leave  your  future 
movements  to  your  own  discretion. 

I  have  noticed  the  suggestion  of  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Nicholson  in  reference  to  the  destruction  of 
the  houses  around  Orange  Mills ;  but  for  the  present, 
unless  the  vessels  are  fired  upon  from  that  vicinity,  I 
do  not  wish  that  there  should  be  any  destruction  of 
property. 

Since  Sunday  last  I  have  been  moving  up  and 
down  the  coast,  visiting  Charleston,  Georgetown,  and 
St.  Simon's,  arriving  here  yesterday.  I  shall  be  at  Port 
Royal  again  by  Saturday  evening. 

You  have  probably  heard  of  the  achievement  of 
a  contraband  pilot  employed  on  General  Ripley's  steamer, 
the  Planter.  The  captain  and  engineer  having  gone  on 
shore  to  visit  their  families,  Robert  Small  quietly,  be 
fore  daylight,  cast  off  the  hawsers  by  which  she  was 
moored  to  the  wharf  in  front  of  the  General's  quar 
ters,  and  steamed  past  Fort  Sumter,  giving  the  usual 
signals,  and  flying  the  Confederate  flag  until  out  of 
range,  when  he  pulled  it  down,  and,  hoisting  a  white 
flag,  brought  the  steamer  safely  out  to  the  blockading 
squadron.  The  pilot  is  quite  intelligent,  and  gave  some 
valuable  information  about  the  abandonment  of  Stono. 


i;8  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

At  my  instance  Captain  Marchand  made  a  recon- 
noissance ;  and  finding  the  statement  true,  crossed  the 
bar  on  Tuesday  last,  with  the  gunboats  Unadilla,  Pem- 
bina,  and  Ottawa.  I  have  no  doubt  the  Charlestonians 
thought  their  time  had  come. 

The  news  from  the  Mississippi  is  very  gratifying; 
the  whole  rebel  fleet  nearly  is  destroyed  on  the  lower 
Mississippi,  by  Flag  Officer  Farragut;  and  in  the  vici 
nity  of  Fort  Wright,  by  Acting  Flag  Officer  Davis,  who 
is  in  command,  vice  Foote,  who  has  returned  East  on 
account  of  his  wound. 

I    send   you   the   latest   paper    or   two. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash,' 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  28th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C.  : 

SIR:  —  When  off  Georgetown,  in  the  Keystone  State, 
on  the  iQth  inst.,  Commander  Prentiss,  of  the  Alba 
tross,  and  the  senior  officer  of  the  blockading  force  off 
that  port,  informed  me  he  had  delayed  crossing  the  bar, 
apprehensive  that  the  steamer  Seabrook,  with  a  thou 
sand  bales  of  cotton  on  board,  might  get  out  of  the 
Santee  while  he  was  inside,  but  that  he  was  preparing 
to  enter. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  enclose  a  very  interesting 
report  from  him,  detailing  his  operations,  and  occupa 
tion  of  Winyau  Bay. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  179 

Commander  Prentiss  passed  the  bar  on  the  2ist 
inst.  with  the  Albatross  and  the  Norwich,  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Duncan,  and  entered  Winyau  Bay. 

After  passing  a  small  deserted  redoubt  near  the 
light -house,  one  extensive  fortification  was  observed 
on  South  Island,  with  apparently  several  large  guns 
mounted;  but  on  approaching  nearer  it  was  found  de 
serted,  and  the  guns  proved  to  be  "  Quakers."  Another 
fortification  on  Cat  Island  was  also  abandoned. 

On  the  22d  he  stood  up  the  bay  for  the  city  of 
Georgetown,  entered  Sampt  Creek,  and  steamed  slowly 
along  the  wharves.  Not  being  prepared  to  hold  the 
place,  Commander  Prentiss  did  not  land,  knowing  that 
there  was  a  force  of  both  cavalry  and  artillery  in  the 
town,  and  a  contest  might  have  involved  the  destruc 
tion  of  the  city. 

He  ascended  the  Wacaman  river  about  ten  miles 
above  Georgetown,  through  a  rich  and  beautiful  country, 
meeting  with  no  resistance.  He  took  under  his  pro 
tection  about  eighty  contrabands. 

The  rebels  are  much  alarmed,  and  are  leaving  their 
plantations  in  every  direction,  driving  their  slaves 
before  them  to  the  pine  woods.  The  whole  region 
around  Georgetown  could  be  easily  taken,  and  with  a 
small  land  force  and  a  few  gunboats,  could  be  held. 

The  Department,  I  am  sure,  will  be  pleased  with 
the  report  of  Commander  Prentiss,  as  it  conveys  not 
only  important  information,  but  at  the  same  time 
evinces  on  his  part  courage  and  judgment. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ISO  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  3oth,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  RHIND,  United  States  Steamer  Crusader, 
Senior  Officer,  North  Edisto : 

SIR:  —  The  Planter,  Acting  Master  Dickinson,  is 
directed  to  report  to  you.  She  has  been  added  to  your 
force  to  aid  you  in  giving  such  facilities  to  General 
Wright  as  he  may  from  time  to  time  require,  and  for 
any  other  purpose  which  you  may  deem  important, — her 
light  draft  making  her  a  desirable  vessel  for  inside  work. 

I  learn  however  that  the  rebels  have  given  some 
evidence  of  wishing  to  recover  Stono ;  and  you  will 
please  dispatch,  on  the  arrival  of  the  Planter,  the 
E.  B.  Hale  to  that  river,  to  report  to  Commander 
Drayton,  the  senior  officer  there. 

You  will  see  by  the  orders  to  Acting  Master  Dick 
inson,  that  Acting  Master  Phenix,  of  the  Pocohontas, 
has  been  ordered  to  relieve  the  former  in  the  com 
mand  of  the  Planter ;  and  I  have  sent  orders  to  Com 
mander  Marchand  to  send  him  down  to  North  Edisto, 
and  if  you  can  facilitate  Acting  Master  Dickinson  in 
joining  the  Keystone  State,  I  will  thank  you. 

I  have  ordered  your  mails  to  be  forwarded  by  the 
Planter. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  3ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  In  my  despatch  of  the  28th  I  reported  the 
capture  of  the  steamer  Patras,  by  the  Bienville.  I  have 
now  the  pleasure  to  report  the  capture  on  the  2pth  inst. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  l8l 

of  the  steamer  Miramon,  by  the  Keystone  State,  off 
Charleston,  of  the  particulars  of  which  Commander 
Le  Roy  has  informed  the  Department.  Also,  of  the 
capture  of  three  schooners,  on  the  2Qth  inst,  by  the 
Bienville,  about  twenty -five  miles  southeast  of  Charles 
ton  bar;  their  names  are,  Providence,  formerly  called 
the  Experiment,  the  Rebecca,  and  La  Criolla,  other 
wise  the  Nora,  a  yacht  belonging,  it  is  said,  to  Fra- 
zier  &  Co.  The  latter  prizes  were  brought  to  this  port 
by  the  Bienville. 

As  this  steamer  needs  some  repairs  to  her  ma 
chinery,  I  have  concluded  to  send  her  to  Philadel 
phia.  Her  chief  engineer  was  sent  in  charge  of  a 
prize ;  and  as  Mr.  King,  chief  engineer  of  this  ship, 
is  quite  indisposed,  I  have  directed  him  to  report  to 
Commander  Mullany  for  duty.  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of 
his  orders.  It  is  with  reluctance  I  part  for  a  short 
time  with  so  efficient  a  steamer  for  blockading  duty 
as  the  Bienville,  and  trust  that  the  Department  will 
send  her  back  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  connection  with  the  subject  of  prizes,  I  would 
add  that  there  are  on  board  the  Bienville  part  of  the 
crew  of  the  steamers  Stettin  and  Patras,  which  were 
sent  by  Commander  Mullany  to  New  York  for  adju 
dication.  I  presume  these  men  should  be  forwarded, 
at  Government  expense,  to  the  port  where  the  vessels 
will  be  adjudicated ;  and  I  would  ask  the  Department 
to  give  instructions  to  Commander  Mullany  how  to 
dispose  of  them. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.    F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


1 82  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  jist,  1862. 

Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Department 
that  the  gunboats  have  possession  of  Stono. 

From  information  derived  chiefly  from  the  contra 
band  pilot,  Robert  Small,  I  had  reason  to  believe  that 
the  rebels  had  abandoned  their  batteries ;  and  accord 
ingly  directed  Commander  Marchand,  the  senior  officer 
off  Charleston,  to  make  a  reconnoissance  to  ascertain 
the  truth  of  the  report.  This  was  done  on  the  igth 
inst.;  and  the  information  proving  correct,  I  ordered  the 
gunboats  on  the  next  day  (being  myself  off  Charleston, 
in  the  Keystone  State),  to  cross  the  bar. 

The  Unadilla,  Pembina,  and  Ottawa,  under  Com 
mander  Marchand,  assisted  materially  by  C.  O.  Boutelle, 
Esq.,  assistant  in  the  Coast  Survey,  succeeded  in  enter 
ing  Stono,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  above  the  old 
fort  opposite  Legareville.  On  their  approach  the  barracks 
were  fired  and  deserted  by  the  enemy. 

Six  prisoners  were  captured  by  Messrs.  Boyd  and 
Bradford,  two  officers  of  the  surveying  steamer  Bibb, 
with  a  boat's  crew  of  five  seamen.  The  prisoners  were 
a  picket  guard  at  the  magazine  of  the  old  fort,  and 
belonged  to  the  Twenty -fourth  South  Carolina  regiment 

On  the  28th  inst.  the  Huron  crossed  the  bar,  and 
on  the  day  following,  the  Pawnee. 

Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  an  interesting  report  from 
Commander  Drayton,  in  which  he  says,  "  We  are  in  as 
complete  possession  of  the  river  as  of  Port  Royal,  and 
can  land  and  protect  the  army  whenever  it  wishes." 

There  are  no  batteries  of  the  enemy  on  the  Stono, 
below  Wappoo  Cut,  where  however  the  rebels  have  a 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  183 

battery   of    smooth  -  bore    guns,  with   a   rifled   cannon  of 
long    range   exceeding   that    of    any    in  the   squadron. 

This  important  base  of  operations,  the  Stono,  has 
thus  been  secured  for  further  operations  by  the  army 
against  Charleston,  of  which  General  Hunter  proposes 
to  take  advantage. 

I  have  put  at  his  disposal  for  the  transportation 
of  troops,  the  steamers  Alabama,  Bienville,  Henry 
Andrews,  Hale,  and  the  Planter.  The  tugs  Pettit  and 
Mercury  are  to  -  night  employed  in  the  same  duty. 

The  army  is  very  deficient  in  vessels  for  transpor 
tation. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag   Ship   Wabash, 
Port   Royal    Harbor,   S.  C.,  June   ist,    1862. 

To  Major-General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South,  Hilton    Head,  S.  C. : 

GENERAL:  —  I  have  received  Brigadier -General  Ben- 
ham's  message  through  Mr.  Preston.  I  regret  that  two 
of  my  ships  should  be  delayed  from  important  service 
for  another  day  ;  but  I  am  aware  of  the  difficulties  you 
have  to  contend  with,  and  the  vessels  will  wait  until 
to-morrow  morning. 

I  have  however  to  take  exception  to  the  attempt 
of  General  Benham,  as  expressed  in  very  unqualified 
terms  to  Mr.  Preston,  to  attribute  his  inability  to  meet 
his  own  arrangements  to  any  short -comings  on  my 
part. 


184  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  learn  from  Mr.  Preston  that  he  again  spoke  of 
the  Planter  as  having  gone  off  without  his  knowledge. 
He  asked  for  this  steamer  to  go  to  Edisto  to  assist 
General  Wright  to  cross  and  land  his  troops,  and  she 
was  dispatched  in  all  haste. 

General  Wright  and  himself  seem  to  have  given 
faith  to  a  malicious  report  that  the  gunboats  had  been 
driven  down  Stono,  hence  all  the  disappointment  about 
the  Planter. 

The  steamer  Henry  Andrews  is  here  from  the 
Savannah  river,  and  is  at  your  service  for  the  purpose 
indicated  by  Brigadier -General  Benham  in  his  inter 
view  with  me  yesterday. 

I   am,  General,  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  3d,  1862. 

Acting  Master  A.  S.  GARDNER,  Commanding  United  States 
Steamer  Pettit,  Port  Royal: 

SIR  :  —  You  will  please  proceed  to  Beaufort  and 
remain  until  to-morrow  morning,  when  you  will  return 
to  this  anchorage. 

My  object  in  sending  you  up  is  for  the  protec 
tion  of  certain  American  ladies  now  there,  who,  in 
consequence  of  the  removal  of  a  large  number  of 
troops  from  there,  feel  some  apprehension  in  conse 
quence.  Should  anything  occur  to  alarm  them,  you 
will  receive  them  on  board. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  French,  one  of  the  government 
agents,  is  acquainted  with  the  object  of  your  visit  in 
the  Pettit;  but  you  will  not  speak  of  it,  nor  com- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  185 

municate    the    substance    of    these    orders    to    any   one 
else. 

You    will    give    Mrs.  General    Hunter   a   passage   to 
Beaufort   if    she   desires    it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  4th,  1862. 

Commander  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Steamer  Pawnee, 
Senior  Officer  in  Stono : 

SIR:  —  Your  communications  of  May  3Oth  and 
June  3d  have  been  received,  and  it  affords  me  pleasure 
to  express  my  approbation  of  all  your  movements  in 
Stono. 

Keep  me  advised  as  often  as  possible  of  your  ope 
rations,  and  of  your  wants.  We  shall  endeavor  to  supply 
at  once  the  articles  asked  for  in  your  last  communi 
cation. 

I  desire  that  your  co-operation  with  the  army  shall 
be  harmonious,  rendering  its  forces  all  assistance  in 
your  power;  but  you  will  please  keep  yourself  in  com 
munication  with  Major  -  General  Hunter,  except  when 
he  may  not  be  present. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


1 86  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  yth,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  B.  CREIGHTON,  United  States 
Gunboat  Ottawa,  Beaufort : 

SIR  :  —  On  the  receipt  of  your  telegraphic  message 
I  dispatched  the  tug  -  boat  Pettit  with  the  ammunition 
asked  for. 

Early  this  morning  I  went  on  shore,  at  Hilton 
Head,  to  hasten  reinforcements  to  the  aid  of  the  army; 
and  was  much  pleased  to  learn  that  you  had  promptly 
and  judiciously  put  your  howitzer  on  board  the  Mer 
cury,  and  dispatched  her,  under  Lieutenant  Irwin,  to 
Port  Royal  ferry.  Your  whole  conduct  in  this  matter, 
when  exciting  rumors  were  constantly  flying  about,  has 
met  with  my  approbation. 

Since  writing  the  above  I  have,  by  the  return  of 
the  Pettit,  received  information  that  no  rebels  have 
crossed  Port  Royal  ferry,  and  that  your  presence  at 
Beaufort  is  no  longer  necessary  to  protect  the  town. 

You  will  therefore  on  the  receipt  of  this  commu 
nication  return  with  the  Ottawa  to  this  anchorage,  leav 
ing  the  Western  World  at  Beaufort ;  giving  Lieutenant 
Law  such  instructions  as  your  experience  may  sug 
gest. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  l8/ 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  8th,  1862. 

To  Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  the  Department's  dispatch  of  the  i$th  ult, 
that  a  fair  proportion  of  prizes  should  be  sent  to 
Boston. 

During  the  winter,  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  ac 
cess  to  Philadelphia,  from  ice  in  the  Delaware,  most  of 
the  vessels  taken  were  sent  to  New  York ;  and  apart 
from  this,  the  stringent  rules  from  the  Department 
governing  prizes,  suggested  that  the  vessels  seized 
should  be  taken  northward  in  the  least  possible  time. 

I  may  add  in  conclusion  that  Upton,  with  other 
writers  on  the  law  of  prizes,  expressly  directs  that  the 
captured  vessels  should  be  sent  to  the  nearest  and 
most  convenient  port ;  and  in  compliance  with  this 
rule,  the  prizes  have  been  sent  to  Philadelphia  and 
New  York. 

The  increased  distance  to  Boston,  the  great  intri 
cacy  of  navigation  around  the  shoals,  and  the  difficulty 
of  getting  back  the  prize  crews,  have  hitherto  pre 
vented  me  from  directing  any  of  the  captured  vessels 
being  sent  to  that  port. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer, 


1 88  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  June  9th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  would  respectfully  ask  the  Department  to 
furnish  the  vessels  in  this  squadron,  commanded  by 
volunteer  officers,  with  signal-books. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  rebellion  the  Depart 
ment  wisely  withheld  them;  but  I  submit  that  the 
necessity  for  this  caution  no  longer  exists,  and  that 
this  apparently  invidious  distinction,  which  has  given 
rise  to  much  unpleasant  feeling  among  these  officers, 
should  cease. 

Much  inconvenience  has  arisen  from  it,  particularly 
among  the  vessels  blockading  off  Charleston. 

The  names  of  the  vessels  to  be  supplied  are  the 
Hale,  Western  World,  Ellen,  H.  Andrews,  Restless,  On 
ward,  Roebuck,  Gem  of  the  Sea,  Relief,  Courier,  Uncas, 
Madgie,  Patroon,  Blunt,  Hope,  Planter,'  and  Shepherd 
Knapp. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  9th,  1862. 

Captain  A.  A.  HARWOOD,  Chief  of  Bureau  of  Ordnance,  etc., 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  the  Bureau's  communication  of  the  2d  inst., 
and  desire  to  express  my  thanks  for  its  prompt  atten 
tion  to  the  wants  of  this  squadron.  The  articles  to 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  189 

be    forwarded    are    much    wanted,  and    will    be    highly 
valued. 

At  one  time  I  thought  the  Bureau  was  sending 
more  ammunition  than  could  be  needed ;  but  I  under 
rated  what  was  necessary  to  cover  troops ;  and  within 
a  few  days  my  forces  in  Stono,  under  Commander 
Drayton,  consumed  an  enormous  quantity  in  driving 
the  enemy  from  a  base  line  of  operations  which  our 
troops  desire  to  occupy,  and  in  keeping  the  latter  com 
fortable,  who  seem  most  so  when  the  shelling  is 
going  on. 

Commander  Drayton's  own  experience,  and  my  in 
structions,  will  keep  down  this  undue  expenditure  of 
ammunition  all  in  our  power;  for  I  fear  more  its 
effect  on  the  guns,  to  say  nothing  of  weakening  the 
moral  effect,  than  any  deficiency  of  supply, —  thanks  to 
the  Bureau. 

The  Ottawa  came  in  last  night  here,  to  coal,  with 
her  Parrott  gun  disabled  in  the  vent,  of  which  I  will 
make  a  more  specific  report.  Fortunately  I  had  one 
left  of  those  previously  sent. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  9th,  1862. 

Hon.  J.  U.  GRIMES,  United  States  Senate, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  —  I  often  have  the  impulse  to  write 
to  you  on  professional  items  of  moment,  as  they  spring 
up,  knowing  your  interest  in  the  efficiency  of  the  ser 
vice,  and  your  desire  to  promote  its  welfare,  but  I 
rarely  have  leisure  or  rest  from  my  current  work. 


OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


I  drop  a  line  now,  not  to  touch  upon  the  prin 
ciple  involved  of  restoring  officers  to  the  navy  who 
resigned  from  it  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Re 
bellion,  —  I  fancy  you  and  I  do  not  differ  materially 
on  that  point,  —  but  to  state  all  that  may  be  said  in 
reference  to  individual  cases,  under  an  imperative  sense 
of  justice. 

There  are  two  officers  in  this  fleet  of  rare  merit, 
whether  judged  in  the  line  of  their  professional  knowl 
edge,  of  their  intellectual  and  general  intelligence,  or 
in  their  bearing  as  gentlemen.  They  were  both  in  the 
action  of  the  /th  of  November,  and  both  distinguished 
themselves.  They  have  been  in  various  expeditions 
since,  and  several  times  under  fire  ;  one  of  them,  Act 
ing  Lieutenant  Watmough,  when  in  China,  at  the  cap 
ture  of  the  Barrier  Forts,  under  Captain,  now  Flag 
Officer,  Foote,  was  conspicuous  for  his  gallantry  ;  both 
cases  have  points  of  resemblance  which  entitle  them 
to  your  kind  consideration,  and  which,  I  think,  give 
each  great  individuality  :  — 

1st.  They  both  resigned  after  cruises,  not  on  re 
ceiving  orders  after  a  leave. 

2d.  The  interregnum  between  their  resignation  and 
return  to  the  service  as  Acting  Lieutenants  was  not 
over  the  ordinary  time  given  as  leave  and  shore-duty. 

3d.  They  came  forward  instantly,  and  at  the  dark 
hour,  and  made  no  terms.  I  was  very  glad  to  avail 
myself,  while  in  command  of  the  Philadelphia  Navy 
Yard,  of  the  offer  of  Lieutenant  Watmough's  services, 
whom  I  immediately  dispatched  with  a  battery  and 
some  seamen  to  the  Susquehanna  river,  to  cover  the 
troops  who  were  then  being  transported  to  Annapolis, 
where,  while  so  bravely  and  energetically  employed 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  191 

yourself  in   furthering   the   same   object,  you    may    have 
met   him,  on    board   the    Maryland    or   elsewhere. 

Lieutenant  Barnes  left  his  business  and  went  over 
to  the  Navy  Yard  at  New  York,  and  asked  for  any 
service,  and  was  gladly  received  by  the  Commandant 
and  placed  on  board  this  ship. 

4th.  Both  have  been  in  active  service  ever  since. 
Watmough,  after  serving  all  summer  on  the  blockade, 
obtained  a  command,  which  he  wore  out,  and  obtained 
another ;  both  inferior  in  themselves,  but  which  he 
made  efficient.  Barnes  commanded  the  Hale,  at  the 
affair  of  Port  Royal  ferry,  on  1st  of  January,  having 
before  commanded  a  main  deck  division  on  this  ship, 
at  the  capture  of  the  forts. 

I  will  merely  add  that  it  is  because  1  am  op 
posed  to  an  indiscriminate  return  to  the  navy  of  every 
one  simply  because  they  may  have  served  during  this 
war,  that  I  have  felt  impelled  to  bear  this  testimony. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag   Ship   Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  loth,  1862. 

Commander  J.  B.  MARCHAND,  United  States  Steamer 
James  Adger,  Charleston,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication  of  the  2Qth  ult,  detailing  the  operations 
of  your  second  reconnoissance  with  the  gunboats  up  the 
Stono  river,  under  my  order  of  the  24th,  with  the 
gratifying  intelligence  that  you  had  unmolested  control 
of  the  river  from  the  sea  to  the  firm  land,  and  could 
insure  a  safe  transit  to  the  army  across  the  same. 


IQ2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  beg  you  to  receive  my  commendation  for  the 
successful  manner  in  which  you  performed  this  ser 
vice  ;  removing  as  it  did  some  very  unfounded  and  un 
pleasant  reports  of  the  doings  of  the  rebels,  and  the 
falling  back  of  the  gunboats. 

In  the  same  communication,  I  regret  to  find  that 
you  express  "  deep  mortification"  that  Commander  Dray- 
ton  had  come  to  supersede  you  in  command  of  the 
vessels,  at  a  time  when  some  credit  might  be  obtained 
in  safely  passing  the  army  across,  etc. 

I  have  considered  you  as  commanding,  for  the  mo 
ment,  the  largest  of  the  detached  divisions  of  this  fleet, 
as  it  is  the  most  important,  and  is  so  considered  by  the 
Navy  Department,  of  the  blockading  force  off  Charleston. 

I  refrained,  so  long  as  circumstances  enabled  me  to 
do  so  without  injustice,  from  relieving  you  by  either 
Commander  Prentiss  or  Goldsborough,  your  seniors ; 
further,  when  the  reconnoissances  of  the  Stono  became 
necessary,  I  left  it  optional  with  you  to  take  charge 
of  it  or  not.  After  the  first  reconnoissance,  you  returned 
to  your  ship,  very  properly ;  showing  however  that  you 
considered  the  service  as  a  mere  collateral  to  your  other 
duty.  When  matters  had  not  gone  well  there,  I  directed 
you  to  return  and  re-establish  them,  which  you  did  in 
a  very  creditable  manner;  and  I  think  you  should  have 
appreciated  this  evidence  of  confidence  on  my  part. 

Now,  in  reference  to  Commander  Drayton,  you  wrote 
to  me  on  the  26th,  enclosing  a  communication  from 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Collins,  calling  earnestly  for 
additional  gunboats  with  heavy  rifles.  You  say,  your 
self,  "  It  would  be  desirable  to  have  more  light  -  draft 
steamers  in  the  Stono  river."  The  Pawnee  was  the 
only  vessel  that  could  cross  the  bar  with  a  more  formi- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  193 

dable   armament.     Was    I    to    take    her    commander   out 
before  sending  her  there  ? 

If  you  had  been  able  to  go  in  with  the  James 
Adger,  or  expressed  a  desire  to  remain  in  Stono,  and 
give  up  Charleston,  I  would  have  sent  the  Pawnee 
and  Commander  Drayton  to  command  the  force  off 
Charleston. 

Having  taken  especial  pains  to  equalize  and  appor 
tion  on  this  station  to  all  the  commanding  officers 
what  they  might  deem  desirable  duty,  so  far  as  it  was 
possible,  having  in  view  the  character  of  the  vessels, 
whether  sailing  ships,  steamers,  side -wheel  or  screw, 
and  above  all  the  draft  of  water,  I  am  not  insensible 
to  such  a  remark  as  the  one  I  have  quoted  above 
from  your  communication  of  the  2Qth  ultimo. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  loth,  1862. 

Commander  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Ship  Pawnee, 
Senior  Officer  in  Stono  River,  S.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  your  interesting  reports  of  May 
3Oth  and  June  3d.  The  former  I  enclosed  to  the 
Department  by  the  Bienville ;  the  latter  I  will  forward 
by  the  next  opportunity. 

I  approve  your  course  of  procedure,  but  must 
enjoin  upon  you  no  unnecessary  expenditure  of  am 
munition;  not  alone  in  reference  to  our  supplies  of 
such,  but  on  account  of  the  guns,  to  say  nothing  of 
weakening  the  moral  effect  on  the  enemy.  I  know 
13 


194  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

your  experience  has  already  suggested  how  difficult 
it  is  to  satisfy  troops  on  this  head  when  co-operating 
with  them. 

If   you    can    spare   a    gunboat    for    the    Charleston 
blockade,  please    dispatch    one   there. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  June  loth,  1862. 

Commander  G.  A.  PRENTISS,  United  States  Ship  Albatross, 
Georgetown  : 

SIR:  —  I  received  your  very  interesting  and  satis 
factory  communication  of  the  25th  inst.,  detailing  your 
proceedings  in  Winyau  Bay,  your  visit  to  Georgetown, 
and  the  account  of  the  Wacamau,  which  I  immedi 
ately  transmitted  to  the  Department.  This  whole  pro 
ceeding  meets  my  entire  approbation,  and  particularly 
your  forbearance  in  not  landing  at  Georgetown,  as  the 
result  would  not  have  been  commensurate  with  the 
risk. 

I  was  sorry  to  take  the  Norwich  from  your  force, 
but  the  pressure  on  the  blockade  at  Charleston,  and 
the  necessity  for  gunboats  in  the  Stono  river,  com 
pelled  me  to  send  her  to  Charleston. 

I  now  dispatch  in  her  stead  the  Western  World, 
Lieutenant  Commanding  R.  L.  Law.  She  is  an  effi 
cient  vessel,  has  a  formidable  battery,  and  of  light 
draft.  I  send  up  also  a  coal  schooner. 

It  would  give  me  pleasure  to  come  up,  and  see 
for  myself  the  result  of  your  operations,  but  the  calls 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  195 

upon   me   here    render   it   impossible    at    this    moment; 
I    will   endeavor   to    do   so   a   little   later. 
I    send   your   mails,  etc. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  I  send  back  in  the  Western  World  Mr. 
Updegrove,  the  pilot  whom  you  sent  here  by  the  Norwich. 
He  is  of  no  use  anywhere  except  in  the  waters  of 
Winyau  Bay.  He  should  be  paid  for  any  service 
rendered  in  this  way. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  nth,  1862. 

Colonel  N.  W.  BROWN,  Headquarters, 
Hilton   Head: 

COLONEL:  —  I  received  in  the  night  your  commu 
nication  of  the  loth,  enclosing  one  from  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Beaver,  reporting  a  certain  number  of  boats 
and  a  rebel  force  at  the  White  House,  opposite  Pinck- 
ney  Island,  with  your  request  for  an  armed  tug. 

Two  gunboats  sailed  in  the  evening  for  Stono  and 
Georgetown.  Of  the  two  tugs  constantly  required  for 
the  work  of  this  squadron,  only  one  is  armed,  and  that 
one  now  undergoing  repairs.  On  the  other  I  am  putting 
some  howitzers,  and  sending  her  to  make  a  recon- 
noissance  around  Pinckney  Island,  where  she  may  pick 
up  the  boats ;  but  she  cannot  remain  to  guard  the 
pickets,  as  she  is  required  here,  and  is  not  properly 
armed  for  that  service. 

I    am   very    respectfully,  Colonel, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


196  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  nth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  Enclosed  the  Department  will  find  a  com 
munication  from  Lieutenant  Commanding  Ammen,  of 
the  Seneca,  reporting  the  death  of  Lieutenant  John  G. 
Sproston,  the  executive  officer  of  that  vessel. 

The  man  Huston,  whose  capture  was  deemed  im 
portant,  was  a  guerrilla  chief  of  desperate  character ; 
too  many  of  whom  are  still  left  in  Florida.  He  had 
participated  in  the  ambuscade  on  the  boats  of  the 
Penguin  and  Andrews,  in  the  Mosquito  Inlet,  when  two 
officers  and  five  men  were  killed. 

A  contraband  who  had  acted  as  pilot  on  that  occa 
sion,  and  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  this  man 
hung  to  a  tree,  and  boasted  of  it. 

After  being  wounded,  Huston's  life  was  spared  by 
the  sudden  interposition  of  his  wife. 

Lieutenant  Sproston  was  an  able,  brave,  and  de 
voted  officer,  from  the  State  of  Maryland.  He  had  come 
under  my  observation  on  the  China  station,  in  1858. 
He  was  distinguished  while  in  the  command  of  one 
of  the  boats  which  destroyed  the  rebel  privateer  under 
the  guns  of  the  Pensacola  Navy  Yard,  in  September, 
1861,  and  his  whole  conduct  during  this  war,  has  been 
gallant  and  meritorious.  I  consider  him  a  great  loss 
to  this  fleet,  and  to  the  service. 

His  remains  will  be  forwarded  by  the  Arago.  May 
I  ask  the  Department  to  have  them  sent  to  Baltimore. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  197 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  nth,  1862. 

Captain  C.  E.  FULLER,  Assistant  Quartermaster,  U.  S.  A., 
Hilton   Head: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  a  communication  from 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Rhind,  referring  to  vessels 
arriving  at  North  Edisto  for  the  purpose  of  selling 
goods,  which  are  neither  army  transports  nor  connect 
ed  with  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  and  exhibit 
ing,  as  authority  for  doing  so,  a  paper  issuing  from 
the  Quartermaster's  Department,  and  approved  by  the 
General  in  command,  enjoining  all  Government  vessels 
to  let  them  pass  unmolested. 

I  have  to  state  that  all  such  vessels  will  require 
a  pass  from  me,  as  no  military  authority  can  give 
instructions  to  the  vessels  of  my  command  in  any  of 
the  waters  blockaded  by  the  ships  of  this  squadron. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Rhind  has  very  properly 
referred  the  matter  to  me,  and  I  have  intimated  to  him 
that  in  accordance  with  the  general  order,  a  copy  of 
which  is  enclosed,  army  transports  and  all  vessels 
connected  with  the  Quartermaster's  Department  are  to 
pass  without  any  interference  on  his  part ;  but  that 
no  other  vessel  will  be  permitted  to  enter  or  remain 
at  North  Edisto,  without  authority  from  myself  or  a 
regular  clearance  from  a  collector. 

I  shall  give  like  instructions  to  my  officers  at  all 
places  held  by  the  vessels  of  this  squadron. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 


198  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OP 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  i3th,  1862. 

Captain  A.  A.  HARWOOD,  Chief  of  Bureau  of 
Ordnance,  etc. : 

SIR:  —  When  I  addressed  the  Bureau  by  last  mail, 
I  did  not  believe  that  my  apprehensions  would  be  so 
soon  verified  as  to  the  giving  way  of  some  of  our 
ordnance  under  its  constant  use. 

Enclosed  please  find  certain  extracts  from  Com 
mander  Drayton's  official  reports,  who  is  conducting 
the  operations  of  the  gunboats  in  Stono  river  and  its 
tributaries. 

I  shall  replace,  so  soon  as  I  can,  the  Parrott  guns 
out  of  order,  by  those  on  board  the  sailing  ships  on 
the  blockade,  which  have  been  but  little  used ;  but 
this  is  attended  with  delay  and  difficulty,  having  no 
light  transports  to  cross  the  bars. 

The  Bureau  will  perceive  the  necessity  of  hurry 
ing  forward  others,  say  twenty-pound  Parrotts  for  the 
regular  gunboats.  The  two  thirty-pounder  Parrott  rifles 
announced  in  the  Bureau's  letter  of  June  2d  will  answer 
for  the  Ellen.  I  hope  these  and  the  two  one-hundred- 
pound  Parrott  rifles  are  on  their  way;  for  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  when  the  rebels  find  the  army  is 
not  advancing  on  James  Island,  they  will  bring  some 
heavy  guns  against  the  gunboats,  and  may  give  us 
trouble. 

Some  vessels  of  the  squadron  are  still  furnished 
with  smooth-bore  muskets;  they  complain  much  of 
this;  a  vessel  like  the  Ellen,  for  example,  that  goes 
everywhere,  is  so  much  exposed  in  these  inland  waters. 
She  recently  felt  herself  helpless  in  returning  a  sharp 
fire  from  rifles,  until  she  could  bring  her  guns  to  bear. 

Commander   Drayton    complains   that   while    he  has 


ADMIRAL  S.  1?.  DU PONT. 


199 


an  eighty-pounder  which  he  is  told  not  to  use,  the  new 
one   sent   out   has    no   shell   for   it. 

All  these  matters,  so  important  in  themselves,  and 
which  give  me  so  much  concern,  I  think  demonstrate 
the  importance  of  having  an  ordnance  officer  attached 
to  this  squadron.  All  returns,  and  the  actual  condi 
tion  of  cannon,  arms,  etc.,  would  be  made  so  much 
more  satisfactorily  to  the  Bureau.  I  applied  early  for 
such  an  officer,  informed  the  Bureau  I  had  done  so, 
named  a  lieutenant  who  was  seeking  service,  but  it 
produced  nothing. 

The  Bureau  in  its  letter  speaks  of  the  ordnance 
depot  at  Port  Royal,  and  the  officer  in  charge  of  the 
ordnance  stores  on  board  the  Vermont.  Why,  the  lat 
ter  ship  has  not  even  a  gunner !  and  but  for  the 
intelligence  and  devotion  of  Commander  Rodgers  to 
these  matters,  in  addition  to  his  own  duties,  and  the 
energies  of  my  young  flag  lieutenant,  this  department 
would  be  in  confusion. 

I  submit,  respectfully,  whether  the  ordnance  should 
not  be  sent  forward  by  a  steamer. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  June  I4th,  1862. 

Commander  J.  B.  MARCH  AND, 

Senior  Officer  off  Charleston,  S.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  last  dispatch  from 
the  Department  in  reference  to  the  contemplated  run 
ning  of  the  blockade  by  various  steamers  from  Nassau. 

I  presume  after  the  last  blow,  so  late  in  the  season, 
we  may  look  for  continued  settled  weather  for  a  time. 


200  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

In  view  of  this,  I  wish  you  would  consider  the  propriety 
of  closing  in  the  ships  a  little  more.  I  am  aware 
there  are  two  sides  to  this  question,  and  I  leave  the 
thing  to  your  discretion  and  judgment,  from  your  better 
knowledge  of  the  localities. 

Will  you  also  think  if  there  would  be  any  ad 
vantage  in  having  a  ship  under  Cape  Romain  ?  Lieu 
tenant  Commanding  Upshur  thinks  there  would  be. 

The  Flag  will  follow  the  Flambeau  to-morrow  to 
report  to  you. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  I4th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  A.  C.  RHIND,  United  States  Steamer 
Crusader,  North  Edisto : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communications  of  the  1st  and  loth  insts. 

I  am  glad  that  the  Planter  has  proved  so  useful 
a  transport,  and  that  we  have  again  been  able  so 
materially  to  aid  the  army,  especially  at  a  critical  time, 
when  its  generals  were  almost  helpless  for  want  of 
transports. 

Your  course  in  regard  to  vessels  entering  North 
Edisto  for  trade  exhibiting  passes  only  from  the  mili 
tary  authorities,  meets  my  approval.  Enclosed  you  will 
find  a  copy  of  a  communication  from  myself  to  Cap 
tain  Fuller,  the  Chief  Quartermaster  at  Hilton  Head 
on  this  matter,  to  which  as  yet  no  answer  has  been 
returned. 

No   vessel,  unless   an   army   transport,  or  connected 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  2OI 

with  the  Quartermaster's  department,  can  enter  and 
remain  at  North  Edisto,  without  a  pass  from  me  or 
a  regular  clearance  from  a  collector.  When  any  such 
vessel  arrives,  order  her  to  leave  the  harbor  and  get 
a  pass  if  she  wishes  to  trade. 

Enclosed  you  will  find  an  order  detaching  Acting 
Master  Collins  from  your  ship.  Please  make  out  a 
more  formal  report  of  his  case,  that  I  may  forward 
it  with  a  dispatch  recommending  his  dismissal  from  the 
service. 

I  understand  there  is  a  good  deal  of  labor  in 
volved  in  supplying  the  Planter  with  wood.  Would 
it  not  be  well  to  organize  a  body  of  contrabands  for 
this  work  ? 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,June  i6th,  1862. 

Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  very  inter 
esting  and  very  graphic  letter  from  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Truxton,  of  the  Dale,  giving,  in  strong  and 
earnest  words,  the  condition  of  many  of  these  sea- 
islands  in  consequence  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  army 
forces  to  Stono. 

The  Dale  is  anchored  in  St.  Helena  Sound,  abreast 
of  a  fort  on  Otter  Island,  which  until  lately  was  oc 
cupied  by  the  troops  of  General  Hunter ;  while  at  the 
same  time  pickets  were  stationed  on  many  of  the  ad 
jacent  islands  to  give  notice  of  the  approach  of  the 


2O2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

rebels.  In  consequence  of  late  projected  movements, 
most  of  these  forces  have  been  transferred  to  Stono ; 
leaving  only  the  Dale,  a  sailing  vessel,  to  protect  the 
contrabands  remaining  of  choice  on  the  plantations 
where  many  of  them  had  been  born. 

The  rebels,  through  information  given  by  a  negro 
who  had  been  employed  by  our  army,  became  aware 
of  the  absence  of  the  troops,  and  under  this  man's 
guidance,  made  a  descent  upon  Mrs.  Marsh's  plantation, 
on  Hutchinson's  Island,  surrounded  the  house,  and  with 
a  ferocity  characteristic,  at  all  events,  of  this  part  of 
the  South,  murdered  in  cold  blood  the  poor  unfortu 
nates,  who  were  awakened  from  their  slumbers  to  fall 
by  the  hands  of  the  infuriated  rebels. 

The  Department  will  perceive  by  the  narrative 
how  much  the  gunboats  are  looked  up  to  by  the  con 
trabands,  for  their  defence ;  and  how  much  feared  by 
the  enemy  for  attack.  Even  while  engaged  in  firing 
upon  frightened,  unarmed  blacks,  their  constant  dread 
was  of  the  ship. 

But,  while  most  desirous  to  afford  protection  in 
all  cases,  I  must  earnestly  press  upon  the  Department 
the  necessity  of  sending  me  more  steam  vessels  of 
light  draft,  and,  at  the  same  time,  of  calling  the  atten 
tion  of  the  Government  to  the  urgent  need  of  more 
troops  on  this  part  of  the  coast. 

A  good  portion  of  my  force  is  now  in  the  Stono 
river,  covering  the  army ;  and  to  do  this,  I  am  neces 
sarily  obliged  to  take  these  vessels  from  their  legiti 
mate  duty  of  blockading,  and  at  a  time  when,  from 
information  derived  from  the  Department,  a  concerted 
attempt  is  about  being  made  to  break  the  blockade 
either  by  stratagem  or  force. 

The   army   for   months   past   has   liad   control,  in    a 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  2O3 

manner,  of  many  of  the  sea -islands  in  this  vicinity, 
extending  to  North  Edisto.  The  contrabands  have 
remained  quietly  there,  cultivating  the  plantations  un 
der  our  protection ;  and  it  seems  to  me  that  the  Gov 
ernment  is  bound  by  every  principle  of  justice  and 
policy  to  shield  them  from  these  barbarous  inroads. 

I  think  this  is  a  fitting  occasion  to  bear  testimony 
to  the  zeal  and  earnestness  ever  displayed  by  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Truxton  since  he  has  had  charge  of  the 
waters  of  St.  Helena  Sound. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship   Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June   i8th,  1862. 

Commander  E.  G.  PARROTT,  United  States  Steamer 
Augusta,  Port  Royal : 

SIR:  —  When  ready,  you  will  please  proceed  to 
Wassaw  Sound  and  relieve  Commander  Goldsborough, 
of  the  Florida,  at  present  in  charge  of  those  waters. 

He  will  give  you  such  local  information  and  the 
results  of  his  experience  as  may  be  desirable  for  you 
to  have. 

The  main  object  of  occupying  this  sound  is  for 
an  inside  blockade,  as  it  is  one  of  the  approaches  to 
Savannah.  It  is  no  longer  probable  that  any  attempt 
will  be  made  from  without.  The  rebels  however  have 

three  steamers  yet  in  Savannah, —  the  ,  mounting 

two  guns ;  the  ,  mounting  two  guns ;  and  the 

Fingal,  mounting  four.  By  Wilmington  river  they  could 
avoid  Pulaski,  and  reach  the  sound;  but  the  deserters 
and  contrabands  report  them  as  laid  up.  Still,  a  proper 
vigilance  should  be  kept  up. 


2O4  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

A  boat's  crew  and  officers  captured  from  the 
Sumter,  and  my  general  order  of  the  2d  inst.,  will 
call  to  mind  the  necessity  of  not  letting  boats  go  off 
on  pleasure  parties. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  June  i8th,  1862. 

Commander  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Steamer  Pawnee, 
Senior  Officer,  Stono : 

SIR  :  —  Your  several  reports  since  those  of  May 
3Oth  and  June  3d,  already  acknowledged,  have  been  re 
ceived,  and  I  beg  to  say  your  operations  in  the  Stono, 
with  the  division  of  gunboats  under  your  command,  have 
been  very  satisfactory  to  me,  and  creditable  also  to  you 
and  the  officers  and  men  employed. 

You  will  perceive  by  a  general  order  from  Major- 
General  Hunter,  issued  on  the  I4th  inst,  that  your 
operations  have  been  equally  gratifying  to  him  and  the 
army  present. 

I  am  compelled  to  withdraw  a  portion  of  your 
force,  for  I  must  have  the  Hale  and  Henry  Andrews,  on 
account  of  their  draft,  for  operations  in  Georgetown, 
S.  C.  The  Norwich  will  replace  one  of  them. 

I  have  information  from  the  Department  of  an  or 
ganized  intention  to  force  the  blockade,  on  a  large  scale, 
either  by  stratagem  or  force;  and  that  portion  of  the 
squadron  now  in  the  Stono  is  withdrawn  from  my  own 
legitimate  and  pressing  duties. 

If  the  generals  near  you  are  disposed  to  demur, 
please  let  them  know  this ;  but  the  vessels  must  be  sent 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  205 

immediately    to    Georgetown,   to    report    to    Commander 
Prentiss. 

In  consequence  of  having  no  small  vessel  to  watch 
the  Santee,  the  Seabrook  steamer  has  escaped  to  Nassau, 
where  I  think  she  will  carry  such  information  as  will 
direct  a  portion  of  the  steam  fleet  waiting  there  to 
Georgetown ;  besides,  I  have  other  important  duty  for 
Commander  Prentiss,  and  he  must  have  the  light -draft 
vessels  to  execute  it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  The  Hale  and  Henry  Andrews  will  first  re 
port  to  Commander  Marchand  of  the  James  Adger,  off 
Charleston,  receiving  from  him  certain  marines  to  ac 
company  these  steamers  to  Georgetown. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  June  i8th,  1862. 

Commander  G.  A.  PRENTISS,  United  States  Steamer 
Albatross,  Georgetown,  S.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  have  your  communication  of  the  I2th 
inst.,  detailing  your  operations  since  your  previous  re 
port.  These  are  satisfactory.  I  regret  of  course  the 
escape  of  the  Seabrook;  but  this  could  not  be  avoided 
with  your  small  force,  and  it  was  impossible  for  me 
to  increase  it. 

I  am  much  impressed  by  your  suggestions  in  ref 
erence  to  the  burning  of  the  railroad  bridge,  and  the 
erection  of  a  battery  on  Black  river;  and  notwith 
standing  the  great  demand  upon  the  light-draft  vessels 


2O6  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

in  Stono  and  elsewhere,  I  am  ordering  the  Hale  and 
H.  Andrews  (7^  ft.),  to  proceed  immediately  and  report 
to  you. 

These  steamers  will  be  accompanied  by  some 
marines  from  the  ships  off  Charleston ;  but  they  must 
be  returned  to  their  respective  vessels  as  soon  as  you 
have  finished  operations  in  the  Santee. 

If  you  can  destroy  that  bridge,  it  will  be  a  very 
handsome  thing. 

You  will  receive  and  protect  all  contrabands  that 
come  in,  and  send  them,  if  most  convenient,  to  Port 
Royal. 

I  have  noted  especially  your  report  of  the  condi 
tion  of  your  crew,  so  many  of  whom  are  over  their 
term  of  enlistment,  and  also  the  position  of  the  men 
from  the  Cumberland  and  Congress. 

I  can  see  no  better  way  of  meeting  the  emer 
gency,  and  doing  what  is  just  to  the  men,  than  for 
you,  so  soon  as  you  get  through  the  operations  on 
the  Santee  and  elsewhere,  to  leave  the  senior  officer 
in  charge  of  the  waters  you  are  now  holding,  and  pro 
ceed  to  Philadelphia,  get  another  crew,  and  return  to 
your  station. 

You  will,  therefore,  do  this  without  further  orders, 
after  reporting  your  proceedings  to  me. 

The  capture  of  any  rebel  property,  such  as  cotton 
and  rice,  is  proper.  I  would  not  destroy,  however, 
buildings  or  houses,  unless  used  by  the  rebels  for 
stationing  pickets,  or  any  other  military  purpose  which 
may  be  annoying.  This  of  course  does  not  apply  to 
the  railroad  bridge. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  2O/ 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  2ist,  1862. 

To  Major  -  General  D.  HUNTER,  commanding 
Department  of  the  South : 

GENERAL  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  communication  of  this  date  in  reference 
to  the  conduct  of  the  master  of  the  steamer  Delaware, 
which  it  became  my  duty  to  bring  to  your  notice. 

The  very  prompt  and  thorough  action  on  your 
part,  vindicating  so  completely  the  military  principles 
and  proprieties  insisted  upon  on  all  sides,  induces  me  to 
ask,  as  a  favor,  if  Captain  Cannon  is  satisfied  of  his 
misconduct  and  ready  to  admit  it  to  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Rhind,  that  you  may  not  deem  it  necessary 
to  discharge  him  from  the  public  employ.  I  am  the 
more  disposed  to  make  this  suggestion  that  I  learn 
the  master  of  the  Delaware  has  been  a  very  efficient 
man  in  the  line  of  his  duty ;  and  as  he  will,  be  so 
well  instructed  as  to  his  future  course  by  the  em 
phatic  manner  in  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  view 
his  conduct,  I  think  this  may  be  done  with  propriety. 

Gratified  and  sympathizing  in  all  you  have  ex 
pressed  as  to  the  harmony  and  union  which  should 
direct  the  two  branches  of  the  national  service,  I 
am,  General,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient 
servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer. 


208  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

(Private  and  Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  23d,  1862. 

To   Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  —  As  recent  operations  and  results 
on  St.  John's  Island  in  no  manner  pertained  to  my  com 
mand,  I  have  no  official  report  to  make  of  them,  but 
will  simply  observe  here  that  the  gunboats  in  the  Stono 
rendered  all  the  assistance  in  their  power,  and  I  believe 
were  very  important  by  their  presence  alone,  during  the 
retreat  of  the  troops. 

I  enclose  for  your  perusal  the  copy  of  a  very  inter 
esting  private  letter  from  Commander  Drayton,  which  it 
strikes  me  you  would  like  to  see ;  but  you  will  perceive 
he  expresses  himself  to  me  without  reserve,  though  with 
his  usual  calm  and  just  spirit,  and  I  beg  you  to  con 
sider  it  confidential. 

With  warm  regards  to  Mr.  Fox,  I  am,  my  dear  sir, 
with  great  respect, 

Faithfully  yours, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  24th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  Gem 
of  the  Sea,  Acting  Volunteer  Lientenant  J.  B.  Baxter 
commanding,  captured  a  schooner  called  the  Mary 
Stewart,  near  the  entrance  of  the  South  Santee.  She 
was  from  Nassau,  and  purported  as  usual  to  be  bound 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  2OQ 

for    St.  John's,  N.  B. ;    her   cargo   principally   salt.     She 
was   sent   to    New   York. 

About  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  2Oth 
inst.  the  Keystone  State,  Commander  Le  Roy,  captured 
the  English  schooner  Sarah,  attempting  to  run  out  of 
Charleston.  She  belonged  to  Nassau,  and  had  on  board 
one  hundred  and  fifty-six  bales  of  cotton. 

At  daylight  the  same  morning,  the  Alabama,  Com 
mander  Lanier,  captured  a  small  schooner,  whose  name 
was  ascertained  to  be  the  Catiline,  of  Charleston.  She 
had  on  board  thirty-three  bales  of  cotton. 

Both  these  schooners  were  sent  to  Philadelphia 
for  adjudication. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  25th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  enclose  another  interesting  report  from 
Lieutenant  -  Commanding  Rhind,  of  further  operations  in 
North  Edisto. 

On  the  2  ist  inst,  with  the  Crusader  and  the 
Planter,  piloted  by  Robert  Small,  he  ran  up  North 
Edisto  river  into  Wadnelaw  Sound  as  far  as  Simmons' 
Bluff, —  which  is  on  the  mainland. 

The  rebels  had  an  encampment  there,  and  some 
artillery,  but  made  no  use  of  the  latter.  A  few  broad 
sides  from  the  Crusader  dispersed  the  enemy;  and 
Lieutenant- Commanding  Rhind,  on  landing  with  a  com 
pany  of  the  55th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  under  com- 


210  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

mand  of  Captain  Burnett,  met  with  no  resistance.  About 
thirty  tents  and  some  cabins  used  as  quarters  were  fired, 
and  a  few  muskets  brought  away.  We  had  no  casual 
ties. 

The  Department  has  noticed  how  active  Lieutenant - 
Commanding  Rhind  has  been  while  holding  the  waters 
of  North  Edisto,  but  I  respectfully  submit  that  he 
should  have  a  better  command  sent  to  him  when  the 
Department  can  do  so,  for  I  think  he  has  justly  earned 
one. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  27th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR: — I  enclose  two  communications;  one  from 
Commander  Marchand,  and  the  other  from  Commander 
Le  Roy.  > 

It  appears  that  between  two  and  three  o'clock  of 
the  morning  of  the  23d,  two  steamers  attempted  to  run 
the  blockade ;  one,  a  screw  steamer,  supposed  to  be 
the  Hero,  and  under  British  colors,  succeeded  in  pass 
ing  our  line,  and  in  entering  Maffitt's  Channel.  At 
daylight  she  was  observed  to  be  aground  near  the 
Moultrie  House,  close  to  a  battery  of  four  guns,  and 
protected  also  by  the  guns  of  Sumter,  and  the  bat 
tery  on  Cumming's  Point. 

The  Seneca  approached  as  near  as  she  could  with 
safety,  and  fired  several  shells,  which  however  fell  short ; 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  211 

whilst  those  of  the  rebels,  from  their  rifled  cannon, 
passed  300  or  400  yards  over  and  beyond  the  Seneca. 

The  other  steamer  was  a  side-wheel,  and  proved 
to  be  the  Nashville,  now  known  as  the  Thomas  S. 
Wragge.  Finding  it  impossible  to  enter,  she  stood 
out  to  sea,  followed  by  the  Keystone  State,  Flag,  and 
James  Adger.  The  two  latter  steamers,  however,  soon 
gave  up  the  pursuit,  finding  it  useless ;  but  the  Key 
stone  State  continued  the  chase  during  the  entire  day, 
lightening  the  vessel  in  every  possible  way,  and  to 
wards  evening  was  rapidly  gaining  on  her;  but  dark 
ness  coming  on,  with  thick  rain  squalls,  the  Nashville 
succeeded  in  eluding  pursuit.  The  Keystone  State 
chased  her  over  300  miles,  and  is  the  only  vessel  in 
my  squadron  that  can  compete  with  her  in  speed. 

It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  state  to  the  Depart 
ment  how  much  I  regret  this  occurrence ;  but  having 
myself  visited  the  Charleston  station,  and  given  per 
sonal  attention  to  the  proper  placing  of  the  blockading 
vessels,  I  am  satisfied  that  no  improvement  can  be 
made  in  this  respect,  and  in  justice  to  the  officers  off 
there,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  greater  vigilance 
could  not  be  exercised. 

I  have  already  informed  the  Department  that  an 
arc  of  thirteen  miles  has  to  be  covered ;  and  although 
it  might  be  supposed  that  eight  steamers  and  four 
sailing  vessels  could  cover  this,  nautical  men  know 
that  a  ship  may  pass  within  two  cables'  length,  on  an 
ordinary  dark  night,  without  being  seen.  I  should 
have  had  full  twenty  vessels  off  Charleston  but  for  the 
necessary  operations  in  Stono  and  Georgetown,  S.  C. ; 
and  if  the  Department  wishes  to  render  the  running 
of  this  blockade  impossible,  I  must  respectfully  ask  for 
more  steamers.  Sailing  vessels  are  of  no  use ;  in- 


212  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

deed,  I  am  afraid  they  serve  as   beacons  to  the  enemy, 
being   seen   so    much    further   than   the   steamers. 

In  this  conclusion  I  may  refer  to  a  dispatch  from 
the  Department  received  last  evening,  enclosing  a  com 
munication  from  a  Mr.  Adams  to  the  Assistant  Secretary 
of  State,  speaking  of  the  escape  from  Charleston  of  the 
British  steamer  Economist. 

This  vessel  got  out  of  Charleston  when  most  of 
the  blockading  force  was  engaged  in  the  expedition 
southward,  resulting  in  the  possession  of  the  whole 
coast  as  far  as  Mosquito  Inlet,  and  when  there  were 
comparatively  few  ships  off  Charleston.  The  details, 
however,  as  given  in  Mr.  Adams's  communication,  are  as 
absurd  as  the  story  that  the  Wabash  was  there.  These 
statements  are  simply  untrue. 

Since  writing  the  above  I  have  again  looked  at 
the  papers,  and  observe  that  the  individual  who  ad 
dresses  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  State  is  not  a 
member  of  the  United  States  Legation.  He  seems  to 
have  volunteered  this  information,  which  the  Under  Sec 
retary  apparently  did  not  consider  worthy  of  notice. 

As  the  officers  off  Charleston  are  ceaseless  in  their 
vigilance,  I  have  already  asked  the  Department  not  to 
permit  itself  to  be  disturbed  by  idle  stories  and  false 
hoods  told  at  Nassau  and  in  England,  derogatory  to 
them,  to  suit  rebel  purposes. 

I  enclose  copies  of  two  letters  from  Mr.  Whiting, 
consul  at  Nassau,  which  Flag  Officer  Lardner  may  not 
have  forwarded.  Commander  Stellwagen  informs  me 
that  H.  B.  M.  Ship  Bulldog  is  convoying  these  vessels 
out  to  sea,  on  their  way  to  break  the  blockade. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


213 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  27th,  1862. 

Commander  S.  W.  GODON,  United  States  Ship  Mohican, 
Port  Royal,  S.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  with  the  Mohican,  under 
your  command,  to  Fernandina,  and  receive  from  the 
Dawn,  Lieutenant  Commanding  Clary,  such  portion  of 
her  crew  as  belonged  to  the  Cumberland,  the  crew  of 
that  ship  having  been  paid  off  at  home. 

You  will  then  proceed  off  Stono  and  communi 
cate  with  Commander  Drayton,  receiving  from  him  all 
men  whose  times  are  out  before  the  2Oth  of  July; 
doing  the  same  at  Charleston,  where  Commander  Mar- 
chand  is  the  senior  officer. 

Should  any  men  remain,  after  filling  the  vacancies 
in  the  different  ships  of  those  who  were  not  in  the 
Mohican  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  including  marines,  you 
will  transfer  them  all  to  the  James  Adger.  Be  par 
ticular  about  accounts  and  descriptive  lists. 

Having  performed  this  duty,  you  will  proceed  to 
Philadelphia,  and  report  your  return,  in  obedience  to 
this  order,  to  the  commandant  of  the  Philadelphia 
station,  and  through  the  latter  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  to  whom  I  will  write  by  next  mail,  or  perhaps 
have  a  letter  for  him  to  meet  you  off  Stono  or 
Charleston. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  say  that  I 
am  depriving  myself  of  the  services  of  the  Mohican 
and  her  gallant  officers  and  crew,  with  extreme  regret; 
but  to  expose  the  latter  to  a  third  summer  on  this 
coast,  after  having  passed  the  two  previous  ones  in 
Africa,  would  amount  in  time  of  war  almost  to  cruelty; 
and  it  is  because  I  have  heard  no  complaint  from 
them  that  I  am  the  more  inclined  to  yield  to  the 
just  necessities  of  the  case. 


214  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Thanking  yourself  especially  for  your  indefatiga 
ble  zeal  and  energy  in  the  discharge  of  your  duties 
while  in  the  command  of  the  Mohican,  and  of  divisions 
of  this  squadron  separated  from  my  flag,  I  am,  re 
spectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  28th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  depart 
ment  that  the  Bienville,  Commander  J.  R.  M.  Mullany, 
arrived  at  Port  Royal  this  morning  to  rejoin  this  squad 
ron. 

On  her  way  she  captured  yesterday  the  schooner 
Morning  Star,  showing  English  colors,  with  a  cargo  of 
salt,  acids,  copperas,  etc.,  about  twenty-five  miles  south 
east  of  Wilmington. 

Commander  Mullany  has  informed  the  Department 
of  the  particulars. 

Respectfully,  etc. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  21$ 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  28th,  1862. 

To  Honorable  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  determined,  though  reluctantly,  to 
send  the  Mohican  to  the  North. 

Her  engine  is  in  such  a  condition  that  the  vessel 
cannot  be  used  for  outside  blockade;  in  addition  to 
which,  her  officers  and  most  of  her  crew  have  been 
for  two  summers  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  and  after 
their  return  from  that  station  gallantly  volunteered  to 
join  this  squadron. 

The  terms  of  many  of  the  men  will  expire  early 
in  July,  and  as  the  officers  and  crew  have  always  exhib 
ited  a  constant  readiness  in  the  performance  of  any  duty 
required  of  them,  I  am  induced  to  show  them  my 
appreciation  of  their  long  and  faithful  services,  and 
have  therefore  ordered  the  Mohican  to  Philadelphia  to 
be  paid  off  and  repaired. 

All  men  and  some  officers  who  have  not  been 
on  the  coast  of  Africa,  I  have  taken  out  to  relieve 
those  on  the  various  ships  whose  times  are  expiring. 

She  will  take  home  fourteen  men  from  the  Dawn, 
who  were  part  of  the  crew  of  the  Cumberland. 

The  arrival  of  the  South  Carolina,  and  the  return 
of  the  Bienville  in  good  order,  have  reconciled  me  to 
this  necessary  step. 

I  deem  it  but  just  to  say  that  Commander  Godon, 
his  officers  and  crew,  have  ever  been  ready  and  zealous 
in  the  discharge  of  their  duties. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


2 1 6  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  30th,  1862. 

Captain  C.  O.  BOUTELLE,  U.  S.  Steamer  Bibb, 

Assistant  Superintendent  United  States  Coast  Survey: 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  with  the  United  States 
Steamer  Bibb,  under  your  command,  to  Hampton 
Roads,  stopping  on  your  way  at  North  Edisto,  Stono, 
and  Charleston,  communicating  with  the  commanding 
officers  at  those  places,  and  delivering  all  mails  and 
stores  put  under  your  charge. 

It  will  give  me  pleasure,  in  transmitting  your 
various  reports  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  to  call 
attention  to  the  varied  and  continuous  services  of 
the  vessels  of  the  Coast  Survey  since  they  have  been 
attached  to  this  squadron  ;  and  particularly  to  the  zeal 
which  you  have  always  exhibited,  not  only  in  the 
execution  of  the  duties  pertaining  to  the  Coast  Sur 
vey,  but  in  aiding  the  important  war  operations  on 
this  coast,  by  assisting  with  your  best  knowledge  the 
gunboats  in  crossing  the  various  bars  and  entering 
the  different  inlets,  regardless  whether  they  were  to  be 
brought  under  fire  or  not. 

You  will  please  convey  to  those  associated  with 
you  my  appreciation  and  commendation  of  their  ser 
vices,  which  I  purpose  to  bring  to  the  notice  of  the 
Superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey. 

The  buoy  vessel  S.  C.  Steele  will  be  left  in  charge, 
for  the  present,  of  Commander  Drayton,  the  senior 
officer  in  Stono,  until  I  can  give  further  directions. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  2 1/ 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  3oth,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  A.  C.  RHIND,  U.  S.  S. 
Crusader,  North  Edisto : 

SIR:  —  I  have  to  acknowledge  your  two  interest 
ing  communications  of  the  23d  inst.,  giving  an  account 
of  your  expedition  to  Simmons's  Bluff,  and  dispersing  a 
rebel  encampment  there.  I  have  forwarded  a  copy  of 
your  report  to  the  Department,  with  a  dispatch  which 
I  closed  with  the  following  paragraph :  "  The  Depart 
ment  has  noticed  how  active  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Rhind  has  been  while  holding  the  waters  of  the  North 
Edisto;  but  I  respectfully  submit  that  he  should  have 
a  better  command  sent  to  him  when  the  Department 
can  do  so,  for  I  think  he  has  justly  earned  one." 

I  enclose  to  you  a  general  order  of  Major -Gen 
eral  Hunter,  dated  June  2ist,  arising  out  of  the  con 
duct  of  the  captain  of  the  Delaware. 

This  case  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  Briga 
dier-General  Benham  immediately  after  the  occurrence, 
but  no  action  was  taken  on  his  part. 

I  then  reported  the  matter  to  General  Hunter, 
who  acted  promptly  and  effectively,  as  you  will  per 
ceive  by  reading  his  communication  to  me,  a  copy  of 
which  is  enclosed.  Brigadier  -  General  Benham  had 
evidently  never  mentioned  the  occurrence  to  him. 

Presuming  that  it  will  be  more  agreeable  to  you 
to  come  to  Port  Royal  for  your  stores,  I  will  en 
deavor  to  send  a  vessel  to  relieve  you  in  time. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


2l8  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  3Oth,  1862. 

Commander  JOHN  J.  ALMV,  United  States  Steamer  South 
Carolina,  Port  Royal  : 

SIR:  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  United 
States  steamer  South  Carolina,  under  your  command,  off 
Mosquito  Inlet,  and  take  charge  of  the  blockade  there. 

On  your  way  look  out  for  any  steamers  approach 
ing  the  coast,  particularly  such  as  may  be  steering  square 
on,  as  we  are  aware  that  there  are  a  good  number 
now,  or  lately,  at  Nassau,  prepared  to  run  the  blockade. 

You  will  find  the  Wyandotte  off  Mosquito,  and 
whenever  it  becomes  necessary,  either  from  want  of 
provisions  or  other  cause,  you  can  send  the  Wyandotte 
to  this  port. 

The  bar  there  is  a  shallow  one ;  before  the  re 
bellion  it  was  resorted  to  for  live  oak  by  the  United 
States  contractors,  and  a  large  quantity  was  burned  by 
the  rebels  after  our  visit.  My  object  in  blockading  it 
is  that  arms  have  been  transhipped  at  Nassau  into 
small  vessels  landed  at  New  Smyrna,  on  the  inlet. 
The  steamer  Cecile,  drawing  six  feet,  landed  last  winter 
a  cargo  of  Enfield  rifles. 

I  shall  communicate  with  you  once,  between  the 
supply  ships,  by  one  or  the  other  of  the  pilot  boats, 
and  forward  your  mails. 

You  will  receive  herewith  the  general  orders  and 
various  papers  connected  with  squadron  duties. 

The  station  you  are  to  occupy  is  important,  but 
a  very  dreary  one,  and  I  will  relieve  you  in  a  reason 
able  time. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.    F.   Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  219 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  3d,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  W.  A.  NICHOLSON, 
Senior  Officer,  St.  John's  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  your  communication  of  the 
2/tri  ult.,  with  its  enclosures. 

Your  answer  to  the  colonel  commanding  the  rebels 
meets  my  approval.  Of  course  the  town  of  Jackson 
ville  is  safe  so  long  as  the  gunboats  are  not  fired 
upon  from  its  vicinity. 

In  reference  to  the  contraband  question,  my  in 
structions  are  to  surrender  none,  no  matter  whether 
the  parties  asking  for  them  profess  to  be  loyal  or 
not.  There  has  been  so  much  abuse  of  this  privi 
lege  that  it  can  no  longer  be  granted.  A  glaring 
instance  of  it  occurred  in  the  case  of  the  murderer 
Huston,  whose  slaves  were  returned  to  him  on  the 
false  pretence  of  a  neighbor  that  they  belonged  to  a 
Union  man.  Even  supposing  the  claimant  may  be 
loyal,  yet  if  he  takes  his  slave  among  the  rebels,  he 
is  liable  to  be  seized  at  any  moment  and  put  to  work 
in  erecting  fortifications  against  our  forces. 

Should  any  further  applications  be  made  to  you, 
ascertain  the  name  of  the  party  applying,  provided  he 
satisfies  you  of  his  loyalty,  and  the  names  of  the 
persons  claimed,  and  enter  the  same  on  the  log-book, 
informing  the  claimant  that  the  Government  will  deter 
mine  the  case  after  the  war  is  over. 

I  have  read  the  paper  forwarded  by  you,  written 
by  certain  of  the  officers  of  the  Patroon,  and  Acting 
Master  Seller's  denial  of  the  charges  made.  It  is 
impossible  for  me,  situated  as  the  vessels  are  in  St. 
John's  river,  to  institute  a  court  of  inquiry,  you  being 
the  only  commissioned  officer  there;  but  I  desire  that 


22O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

you     should    make    an    informal     investigation     of    the 
matter,  and   report   the   facts   to   me. 

Enclosed    are    the    papers    referred    to,  which   you 
will    return   to    me   with   your   report. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  4th,  1862. 

Commander  P.  DRAYTON, 

Senior  Officer  in  Stono  river : 

SIR  :  — On  the  receipt  of  this  order  you  will  send 
at  once  to  this  port  the  Paul  Jones  and  the  Unadilla, 
the  enemy  having  to-day  made  an  attack  on  Port 
Royal  Island,  at  various  points,  and  something  more 
serious  being  apprehended  by  the  army. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  4th,  1862. 

Major-General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South: 

GENERAL:  —  From  information  just  received  from 
Brigadier-General  Saxton  of  the  enemy  appearing  to 
day,  I  send  an  order  to  Commander  Drayton  to  dis 
patch  at  once  two  gunboats  to  this  place. 

The    new    vessel,  the  Paul    Jones,  with   a   most   for- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  221 

midable  battery,  and  drawing  but  seven  and  a  half  feet, 
will  sweep  the  Coosaw  of  all  batteries  that  may  be 
erected. 

Will    you    please     forward    the    order    if    you  are 
sending   up. 

In   haste,  yours,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  5th,  1862. 

Commander  J.  R.  GOLDSBOROUGH,  Senior  Officer, 
St.  Simon's  Sound : 

SIR  :  —  Having  every  reason  to  believe,  from  in 
formation  received  from  Acting  Lieutenant  Command 
ing  Watmough,  that  Ossebaw  is  resorted  to  by  the 
rebels,  and  that  a  fort  has  been  constructed  on  the 
Ogeechee  river,  I  have  determined  to  place  the  Potomska 
there  for  the  present. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  you  will  therefore  order 
Acting  Lieutenant  Commanding  Watmough  to  Ossebaw, 
to  enforce  the  blockade  of  that  Sound.  I  will  send 
you  another  vessel  as  soon  as  I  can. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Watmough  will  use  his 
best  judgment  in  placing  his  vessel,  as  she  will  have 
to  cover  the  entrances  of  both  the  Ogeechee  and  Ver- 
non  rivers. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


222  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  ad,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  The  most  important  of  my  late  operations 
has  been  reported  to  the  Department,  viz.,  the  quick 
seizure  of  Stono  Inlet  and  river  before  the  rebels  could 
discover  the  very  great  military  error  they  had  com 
mitted  in  abandoning  the  strong  defences  of  those 
waters,  protected  as  they  were  on  the  exterior  by  the 
dangerous  shifting  and  shallow  bar  leading  into  them. 

The  army  determined  to  avail  itself  of  this  success 
ful  turning  of  all  the  forts  in  Charleston  harbor,  which 
presented  so  fine  and  proximate  a  base  of  operations. 

Under  the  cover  of  light  vessels,  including  the 
Pawnee,  which  was  bumped  over  the  bar,  the  troops 
were  landed  on  James  Island,  the  firing  being  almost 
continuous  for  two  days,  and  succeeded  in  obtaining 
secure  positions ;  the  naval  part  of  the  operations 
having  received  the  commendation  of  the  commanding 
general,  in  an  order  which  I  have  before  transmitted. 

On  the  return  of  Major- General  Hunter  to  Port 
Royal,  an  attempt  was  made  in  his  absence,  by  a 
general  advance  of  the  army  forces,  to  carry  the  rebel 
works  at  Secessionville,  which  it  was  thought  were  in 
unpleasant  proximity  to  the  camps. 

The  effort  was  unsuccessful,  and  the  troops  fell 
back  without  being  fired  upon  or  followed,  and  re 
turned  to  their  lines  without  demoralization ;  but,  I 
grieve  to  add,  with  a  loss  of  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  approaching  seven  hundred. 

This    event    was     followed    by    an     order    for    the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT. 


223 


evacuation    of   James  Island,  and   of   the   works  already 
erected  there. 

On  hearing  this,  incidentally,  I  immediately  dis 
patched  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  (who,  in  addi 
tion  to  his  duties  as  captain  of  this  ship,  has  been 
discharging  those  of  captain  of  the  fleet),  to  Stono  to 
see  Commander  Drayton,  and  ascertain  the  effect  which 
this  new  order  of  things  might  produce  on  the  naval 
force. 

I  have  the  views  of  both  these  intelligent  and 
experienced  officers,  based  upon  a  local  inspection  of 
the  important  points  involved ;  and  I  purpose  myself, 
though  a  short  time  ago  I  passed  along  all  the  points 
of  my  station,  to  visit  them  again  in  a  few  days. 

I  have  to  thank  the  Department  for  the  arrival 
of  the  Paul  Jones,  most  opportunely  for  the  protec 
tion  of  the  waters  flowing  into  Port  Royal  harbor. 

Port  Royal  Island  was  attacked  yesterday,  in  more 
than  one  point,  and  until  I  can  get  her  or  a  vessel 
of  light  draft  into  the  Coosaw,  the  soldiers  and  plan 
tations  will  not  be  safe.  I  have  sent  for  her  for  this 
purpose.  My  impression  is  that  a  general  order  has 
been  issued  by  the  rebel  authorities  to  carry  on  a 
guerilla  warfare  in  all  directions ;  a  matter  not  likely 
to  produce  important  results,  except  the  loss  here  and 
there  of  valuable  lives,  and  a  still  greater  absorption 
of  my  force. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


224  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  7th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  I  have  endeavored,  through  the  many  re 
sources  which  the  Department  has  sent  me  so  liberally, 
to  make  this  station  answer  the  purpose  of  supplying 
the  wear  and  tear  of  this  fleet,  which  necessarily  re 
quires  so  much  refitting;  and  but  very  rarely  have  I 
despatched  a  vessel  North  for  these  objects. 

The  Department,  however,  is  well  aware  that  the 
morale  of  a  large  body  of  men  must  be  kept  up  in 
a  long  contest;  and  I  believe  my  watchfulness  on  this 
point,  in  retaining  no  man  over  his  time,  and  in  send 
ing  the  ships  home  in  turn,  whenever  without  detri 
ment  to  the  service  it  could  be  done,  has  had  a  most 
happy  effect. 

The  crew  of  one  vessel,  however,  has  been  for 
some  time  entitled  to  my  consideration.  The  ship  has 
been  long  over  a  year  in  commission,  and  the  bulk 
of  the  men  were  enlisted  some  months  before.  She 
was  in  the  action  at  Hatteras,  blockaded  Charleston  in 
the  summer  of  1861,  when  no  other  vessels  now  in 
this  squadron  were  even  in  commission,  except  the 
Pawnee  and  the  Vandalia ;  the  latter  of  which  was 
permitted  to  return  last  winter.  I  am  speaking  of  the 
Wabash. 

I  had  indulged  the  hope  that  the  progress  of 
events  here  by  this  time  would  have  authorized  me 
to  have  asked  the  Department  to  have  returned  in  her 
for  a  few  days  to  recruit ;  but  while  I  find  this  im 
possible,  I  do  not  at  this  particular  moment  find  it 
impossible  to  spare  the  ship  on  public  grounds,  though 
exceedingly  inconvenient. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  22$ 

I  have  therefore  directed  Commander  Rodgers  to 
proceed  with  the  Wabash,  on  the  8th  or  Qth  inst,  to 
Philadelphia,  and,  with  the  permission  of  the  Depart 
ment,  to  let  her  crew  have  liberty.  The  men  have 
never  yet  landed  but  to  fight,  in  a  period  of  over 
twelve  months. 

I  have  determined  to  forego  all  repairs  upon  her. 
She  must  dispense  with  taking  out  her  mainmast,  or 
taking  her  machinery  apart;  and  I  have  to  ask  the 
Department  to  dispatch  her  immediately  after  the  crew 
have  had  their  run  on  shore, —  say  about  the  5th  or 
6th  of  August. 

The  Wabash  is  my  base  of  operations.  The 
order,  discipline,  and  effectiveness  of  both  officers  and 
crew  enable  her  to  perform  the  immense  work  re 
quired  in  various  ways  for  the  whole  squadron,  and 
which  can  scarcely  be  understood  even  at  the  De 
partment.  I  have,  therefore,  earnestly  to  request  that 
the  Department  will  be  pleased  to  give  Commander 
Rodgers  orders  to  leave  Philadelphia  without  having 
detached  an  officer  or  man. 

The  steam  frigates  of  her  class  being  equally  dis 
tributed  in  all  the  Northern  ports,  at  Portsmouth,  Bos 
ton,  and  New  York,  I  have  sent  the  Wabash  to 
Philadelphia,  where  she  was  built,  and  where  her  crew 
will  be  less  liable  to  be  inveigled  away  by  the  high 
prices  now  given  at  other  ports,  in  the  merchant  service. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


226  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  July  8th,  1862. 

Commander  J.  R.  GOLDSBOROUGH,  Senior  Officer, 
St.  Simon's  : 

SIR:  —  The  Rev.  Mr.  French  and  Mr.  Fuller  are 
Government  agents  to  see  to  the  welfare  of  the  con 
trabands.  You  will  please  receive  these  gentlemen  as 
such,  and  afford  them  any  facilities  in*  your  power  in 
carrying  out  their  philanthropic  efforts. 

Mr.  French  has  clothing  for  the  colony  on  St. 
Simon's,  and  Mr.  Fuller  goes  to  see  to  the  introduc 
tion  of  the  culture  of  the  rutabaga. 

Will  you  let  the  Darlington  wait  for  Mr.  French  ? 
He  thinks  he  shall  do  all  he  desires  in  two  days. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the   Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  enclose  reports  from  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Creighton,  of  the  Ottawa.  The  Department  will 
perceive  that  the  term  of  service  of  her  crew  expires 
in  August,  and  she  seems  to  be  much  disabled.  I 
have  to  request  that  she  be  replaced  by  a  vessel  of 
her  class. 

I  regret  to  say  that  the  vessels  of  the  squadron 
are  fast  breaking  down,  while  my  requirements  are  in 
no  wise  lessened. 

The    Flambeau    has   to   be   towed    North. 

The  Huron  is  rarely  in  order,  and  Commander 
Drayton  reports  her  to-day  as  nearly  broken  down. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  22/ 

The    Henry   Andrews   has   broken   her   rudder. 

The  Norwich  has  always  to  be  repaired;  she  is 
now  here,  with  hot- well  out  of  order,  and  deck-pumps 
all  wrong;  leaking  badly  in  her  bow. 

The  Flag  has  been  leaking  badly ;  strained  by 
improper  docking  at  Baltimore.  Her  commander  re 
ports  an  increase  in  her  leak,  and  I  have  to  with 
draw  her  from  Charleston  for  inside  work. 

The  Wyandotte  is  not  safe  outside  any  longer, 
and  came  near  being  lost. 

The    Potomska   is   in   a   similar   condition. 

The  Pocahontas  came  in  yesterday,  entirely  done 
up;  when  she  lost  her  boats  off  Charleston  in  a 
gale,  she  had  barely  power  to  keep  her  from  being 
wrecked  herself. 

The  Roebuck  is  useless,  and  I  am  sending  her 
home. 

The  Fernandina  has  arrived.  I  mention  these  things, 
not  to  complain,  but  to  explain. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


(Unofficial.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  8th,  1862. 

Rev.  S.  H.  TYNG,  D.  D.,  New  York : 

REV.  AND  DEAR  SIR:  —  I  had  the  honor  and  grati 
fication  to  receive  yesterday  your  most  kind  letter  of 
28th  ult.,  as  President  of  the  National  Freedmen's  Re 
lief  Association  of  New  York,  for  which  please  accept 
my  thanks. 


228  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  am  happy  to  think  that  I  may  have  been  able 
in  any  way  to  contribute  towards  the  Christian  and 
philanthropic  efforts  of  those  devoted  men  and  women 
who  are  ameliorating  the  moral  and  physical  condi 
tion  of  a  race  deserted  by  those  who  owe  their  sub 
stance  to  the  sweat  of  their  faces,  and  found  by  us 
in  a  most  pitiable  state. 

I  think  you  have,  however,  quite  overrated  these 
services.  A  cordial  sympathy  in  the  work  has  proba 
bly  been  mistaken  for  such. 

With  grateful  sense  of  your  own  kind  expressions 
to  me  personally,  I  am,  reverend  and  dear  sir,  with  the 
highest  respect,  your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  9th,  1862. 

Commander  CHARLES  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Steamer 
Paul  Jones,  Port  Royal : 

SIR:  —  I  desire  a  reconnoissance  made  of  Ossebaw 
Sound,  coast  of  Georgia.  I  believe  it  may  be  used  as 
an  exit  from  Savannah,  by  small  vessels,  through  Ro- 
milly  marshes,  and  one  schooner,  it  is  thought,  has 
entered  not  long  since. 

I  learn  there  is  a  fort  up  the  Ogeechee,  and  the 
Darlington  saw  two  small  steamers  in  that  direction 
recently. 

Your  can  feel  this  fort  with  your  long-range 
guns,  and  destroy  it  if  you  can ;  but  as  there  is  no 
military  operation  involved,  this  must  be  done  with 
sound  discretion,  and  without  unnecessary  loss. 

I   recommend    your    going   in    by   way   of   Sapelo. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


You  will  take  the  Potomska,  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Watmough.  I  have  sent  orders  to  this  effect  to  Com 
mander  Goldsborough,  but  they  have  not  reached  him. 
You  will  be  accompanied  by  the  Unadilla  from  here, 
and  will  avail  yourself  of  Mr.  Godfrey,  the  master  of 
the  Darlington,  as  pilot  ;  but  I  wish  the  Darlington, 
as  soon  as  you  can  spare  him,  to.  proceed  to  her  des 
tination. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  Charleston,  July  loth,  1862. 

Commander  C.  R.  P.  RODGERS,  United  States  • 
Ship  Wabash: 

SIR  :  —  The  crew  of  this  ship  have  never  been 
on  liberty  since  they  were  enlisted,  extending  back 
now  to  a  year  from  last  March  and  April. 

They  have  borne  this  privation  with  patriotic  devo 
tion,  and  without  the  slightest  complaint;  and  although 
I  can  ill  spare  the  Wabash  on  public  grounds,  and 
whilst  it  is  a  matter  of  great  personal  inconvenience 
to  me  to  shift  my  flag,  still  I  have  determined  to 
send  her  to  Philadelphia,  that  her  men  may  have  a 
few  days  recreation. 

You  will  therefore  proceed  with  her  to  that  port, 
reporting  your  arrival  to  the  commandant  of  the  naval 
station,  and  by  letter  through  him  to  the  Navy  De 
partment. 

Of  course,  once  there,  all  orders  for  your  return 
must  emanate  from  higher  authority.  You  are  aware 
how  necessary  this  ship  is  to  me  as  a  base  of  opera- 


230  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

tions ;  and  at  a  moment  too  when  I  have  just  learned 
the  military  force  is  to  be  reduced  on  this  coast.  I 
have  asked  the  Department  to  dispatch  her,  without 
fail,  from  ist  to  5th  of  August,  and  I  am  quite  sure 
you  will  have  everything  ready  to  accomplish  this  if 
the  order  be  given  by  the  Department. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Off  Charleston,  July  loth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  the  enclosed 
communication  of  Commander  Marchand,  referring  prin 
cipally  to  the  capture  of  the  steamer  Emilie,  formerly 
the  Wm.  Seabrook,  of  Charleston.  She  has  been  sent 
to  Philadelphia. 

The  captain,  D.  B.  Vincent,  goes  North  in  this 
ship;  and  as  he  is  from  Charleston,  and  has  been 
engaged  more  than  once  running  the  blockade,  and 
on  one  occasion,  by  falsely  pretending  to  be  in  distress, 
received  assistance  from  the  Roanoke  (running  in  on 
that  night  to  Charleston),  I  recommend  that  he  be  sent 
to  Fort  Lafayette. 

The  supercargo,  also  from  Charleston,  has  been 
engaged  in  running  the  blockade,  and  should  not  be 
permitted  to  be  at  large. 

I  respectfully  submit  that  the  Department  cannot 
exercise  too  much  vigilance  in  preventing  the  return 
of  these  men,  who,  from  their  local  knowledge  of  this 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


part  of   the   coast,  are  the    most   efficient  instruments  of 
the   rebels   in   violating   the   blockade. 

One  of  the  Lockwoods,  when  I  left  Hampton 
Roads  last  October,  was  a  prisoner  there,  but  was  sub 
sequently  set  at  liberty,  and,  until  lately  captured  on 
the  Isabel,  was  engaged  frequently  in  piloting  British 
and  rebel  vessels  into  Charleston. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  I2th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR:  —  Enclosed  is  a  survey  on  the  United  States 
steamer  Norwich.  She  cannot  be  put  in  condition  for 
service  here,  and,  much  against  my  will,  I  have  ordered 
her  to  proceed  to  New  York,  where  I  trust  she  can 
be  in  a  short  time  repaired  and  sent  back  to  this 
squadron. 

I  have  retained  nearly  all  her  crew,  who  are  en 
listed  for  three  years,  and  put  on  board  the  Norwich 
the  men  from  the  Ottawa,  and  a  few  from  the  Alabama, 
whose  times  are  nearly  out. 

I  have  also  detached  Acting  Assistant  Paymaster 
Darling,  transferring  him  to  the  H.  Andrews, ?  and  at 
the  same  time  detached  Acting  Assistant  Paymaster 
Heberton,  who  has  been  an  invalid,  from  the  H.  An 
drews,  and  ordered  him  to  the  Norwich. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


232  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  July  i8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  Enclosed  is  a  bill  of  lading  for  twenty 
thousand  feet  of  yellow  pine  lumber,  shipped  from  the 
St.  John's  river  by  Lieutenant  Commanding  Nicholson, 
the  senior  officer  there,  to  the  commandant  of  the 
naval  station  at  New  York. 

I  have  been  informed  that,  by  the  law  of  prize, 
as  settled  in  the  New  York  courts,  such  timber  is 
considered  as  prize,  and  if  such  be  also  the  view  of 
the  Government,  I  would  respectfully  ask  that  direc 
tions  be  given  to  the  commandant  of  the  naval  sta 
tion  at  New  York,  to  turn  the  same  over  to  the  Prize 
Commissioner  for  adjudication. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  i8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

Sir :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  an  appraise 
ment  of  value  of  the  hull,  machinery,  tackle,  etc.,  of 
the  steamer  Darlington,  captured  near  Fernandina, 
Florida. 

At  the  time  of  taking  Fort  Clinch  and  Fernan 
dina,  I  communicated  to  the  Department  the  circum 
stances  of  the  capture  of  the  Darlington.  She  is  a 
high-pressure  boat,  of  light  draft,  and  can  only  be 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  233 

used  in  smooth  inland  waters.  I  have  found  her  of 
great  service  as  a  dispatch  vessel.  She  can  never  be 
taken  North,  and  I  have  therefore  had  her  appraised. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  July  i8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  When  I  sent  back  the  Marine  Battalion, 
thinking  its  organization  as  such  might  be  maintained, 
I  took  from  it  only  a  very  few  men,  to  fill  some  va 
cancies. 

I  have  to  say  now  that  the  marines  of  this  squad 
ron  are  short;  and  on  board  of  this  ship,  especially, — 
where,  on  account  of  the  large  amount  of  public  prop 
erty,  and  of  stores,  including  whisky,  to  be  overlooked 
and  transmitted  from  her  day  and  night,  to  the  different 
vessels  of  the  squadron,  an  increase  of  guard  is  partic 
ularly  needed.  This  important  service  is  now  badly 
performed  for  want  of  sufficient  police,  and  many  of 
the  men  were  drunk  yesterday. 

I  have  to  request  that  fifty  marines  be  sent  down 
to  the  squadron ;  that  thirty  of  them  be  forwarded  at 
once,  with  an  officer  to  take  charge  of  the  guard  of 
this  ship. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer. 


234  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  2ist,  1862. 

Commander  E.  LANIER, 

United  States  Ship  Alabama: 

SIR:  —  When  a  house  was  burned  on  the  Santee, 
in  an  expedition  up  that  river  under  Commander  Pren- 
tiss,  I  learn  with  great  mortification  that  plunder  was 
permitted. 

I  have  given  stringent  orders  to  the  senior  officer 
at  Georgetown  to  collect  all  articles  on  board  of  any 
vessels  of  the  squadron,  to  be  sent  to  the  United 
States  military  governor  at  Beaufort. 

The  Hale  brought  down  here  some  of  that  plunder. 
I  wish  you  to  ascertain  from  Lieutenant  Gillis,  now 
your  executive  officer,  what  became  of  it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  2ist,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  BALCH,  United  States  Steamer 
Pocahontas : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  Poca 
hontas,  under  your  command,  and  assume  charge  of  the 
blockade  at  Georgetown,  S.  C.,  and  the  tributary  waters, 
as  senior  officer. 

My  last  advices  from  there  informed  me  that  some 
seven  hundred  contrabands,  including  women  and  chil 
dren,  had  collected  on  North  Island.  It  is  General 
Hunter's  intention  to  send  a  steamer  to  transport  them 
to  Port  Royal. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  235 

Please  protect  them  until  this  can  be  done,  and 
give  all  the  facilities  you  can  towards  embarking  them. 

Please  select  on  your  arrival  one  hundred  of  the 
best  of  those  contrabands,  to  be  shipped  on  their  ar 
rival  here  for  the  public  service.  ^  The  medical  officer 
should  look  at  them. 

In  an  expedition  up  the  Santee,  under  Comman 
der  Prentiss,  a  house  belonging  to  a  Mr.  Blake  hav 
ing  been  used  for  military  purposes  and  otherwise,  it 
was  burned  by  order  of  Commander  Prentiss,  in  ac 
cordance  with  my  instructions  to  the  following  effect : 
"  The  capture  of  any  rebel  property,  such  as  cotton 
and  rice,  is  proper.  I  would  not  destroy,  however, 
buildings  or  houses,  unless  used  by  the  rebels  for  sta 
tioning  pickets,  or  any  other  military  purpose  which 
may  be  annoying." 

I  have  been  informed,  however,  that  property  was 
taken  from  the  house,  and  carried  on  board  some  of 
our  vessels  by  officers  and  men.  This  is  against  all 
my  orders,  instructions,  and  injunctions;  and  I  am  pained 
to  learn  this  deviation  from  them.  Commander  Pren 
tiss  had  gone  North  before  I  knew  of  this  circum 
stance. 

You  will  please  inquire  into  this  transaction,  and 
cause  to  be  collected  every  article  so  taken,  in  whose- 
ever  possession  they  may  be ;  and  placing  them  on 
board  the  Western  World,  will  dispatch  her  to  this 
port,  with  the  hundred  contrabands  above  alluded  to. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 


236  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  2ist,  1862. 

Commander  E.  G.  PARROTT,  United  States  Steamer  Augusta, 
Senior  Officer,  Charleston : 

SIR: — I  have  received  the  reports  of  the  serious 
condition  of  the  Sumrer.  She  must  be  sent  to  this 
port  at  once,  though  I  have  no  vessel  to  take  her 
place.  I  trust,  however,  that  the  Huron  and  James 
Adger  will  be  off  Charleston  in  a  few  days. 

The  French  corvette  Renaudier  leaves  here  to 
morrow  for  the  purpose  of  removing  from  Charleston 
the  consul's  wife.  You  will  please  allow  her  to  enter. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  23d,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  present  positions  of  the  vessels  of  my 
squadron  on  the  blockade. 

Off  Georgetown,  the  steamers  Pocahontas,  Western 
World,  and  bark  Gem  of  the  Sea. 

Off  Bull's  Bay,  the  United  States   steamer   Restless. 

Off  Charleston,  the  steamers  James  Adger,  Augusta, 
Alabama,  Bienville,  Sumter,  Crusader,  the  United  States 
ships  Vandalia,  Onward,  Shepherd  Knapp,  bark  Fer- 
nandina,  and  yacht  America. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


In  Stono  waters,  steamers  Pawnee,  Ottawa,  Pem- 
bina,  Henry  Andrews,  and  Ellen. 

In  North  Edisto,  the  steamers  Mohawk  and  Planter, 

In  St.  Helena  Sound,  the  United  States  ship  Dale. 

In  Wassaw  Sound,  the  steamer  Flag,  and  bark 
Braziliera. 

In  Ossebaw  Sound,  the  steamers  Unadilla  and 
Potomska. 

In  St.  Simon's,  Altamaha,  and  Sapelo,  are  the 
steamers  Florida,  Wamsutta,  Madgie,  and  E.  B.  Hale. 

At  Fernandina,  the  steamers  Dawn  and   Darlington, 

In  St.  John's  river,  the  steamers  Isaac  Smith, 
Patroon,  and  Uncas. 

Off  Mosquito  Inlet,  the  United  States  steamer 
South  Carolina. 

In  Port  Royal  harbor,  the  .  steamers  Keystone 
State,  Huron,  Seneca,  Wyandotte,  and  schooner  G.  W. 
Blunt,  all  of  which,  except  the  one  first  named,  are 
undergoing  repairs. 

The  Paul  Jones  has  just  returned  here  from  a 
reconnoissance  in  the  waters  of  Ossebaw  Sound.  She 
will  leave  to-morrow  for  the  St.  John's  to  relieve  the 
Isaac  Smith. 

The  Hope  is  constantly  running  up  and  down  the 
coast  as  a  dispatch  vessel.  The  tugs  Mercury  and 
Pettit  are  employed  in  this  harbor.  The  store  ship 
Courier  goes  to  New  York  this  week. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


238  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  23d,  1862. 

J.  SENTHALL,  Esq.,  Chief  Bureau  Construction, 
Equipment,  and  Repair : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  report  of  a 
survey  on  the  United  States  gunboat  Seneca. 

The  master  machinist  has  given  me  as  his  opinion 
that  the  repairs  he  is  now  making  for  upholding  the 
shaft  cannot  last  over  three  days'  steaming. 

I  regret  so  much,  however,  to  lose  the  services  of 
this  vessel,  that  I  am  going  to  place  her  for  a  few 
weeks  in  Wassaw  Sound,  that  I  may  send  another 
vessel  to  the  blockade  of  Charleston. 

I  take  this  occasion  to  state  to  the  Bureau  that 
I  am  getting  most  valuable  services  from  the  machine 
shop,  but  certain  cases,  like  the  Seneca,  Wyandotte, 
etc.,  are  beyond  its  cure.  Such  vessels  I  am  com 
pelled  to  send  homeland  the  Bureau  may  feel  assured 
I  am  sending  no  others. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  24th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  W.  D.  WHITING,  United  States  Steamer 
Wyandotte,  Port   Royal : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  with  the  steamer  Wy 
andotte,  under  your  command,  to  New  York,  and  report 
your  arrival  to  Flag  Officer  Paulding,  commanding 
the  naval  station  there,  and  through  him  to*  the  Hon 
orable  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  239 

The  Department  will  determine  whether  the  Wy- 
andotte  shall  be  repaired. 

I  take  this  occasion  to  say  that  your  conduct, 
while  under  my  command,  whether  as  executive  offi 
cer  of  the  Vandalia,  at  the  capture  of  the  Port  Royal 
forts,  or  as  Lieutenant  Commanding  of  the  Wy- 
andotte  since,  has  met  with  my  entire  approbation, 
and  it  will  afford  me  much  gratification  if  the  Depart 
ment  can  give  you  a  better  vessel,  and  send  you  back 
to  this  squadron. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  25th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  The  Wyandotte  .sails  to  -  day  for  New  York. 
She  is  so  disabled  that  with  all  the  facilities  at  our 
command  she  cannot  be'  put  in  order  for  any  pur 
pose  whatever,  either  for  inside  or  outside  blockade 
service. 

It  will  be  for  the  Department  to  determine  whether 
she  is  worth  repairing. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


240  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  25th,  1862. 

Commander  C.  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Steamer 
Paul  Jones,  Port   Royal: 

SIR:  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  Paul  Jones 
under  your  command,  to  Ossebaw,  where  the  Unadilla 
now  is. 

Enclosed  you  will  find  memoranda  of  information 
given  to  Lieutenant  Commanding  Collins  by  a  contra 
band,  corroborating  previous  information  in  reference 
to  a  steamer  being  in  the  Ogeechee.  Of  course  you 
can  appreciate  the  necessity  of  not  permitting  this 
vessel  to  escape. 

With  the  Unadilla,  Wamsutta,  and  Huron  in  case 
she  can  join  you  in  time,  I  desire  you  to  make  a 
reconnoissance  in  force ;  and  if  you  are  satisfied  that 
you  can  destroy  or  silence  the  fort,  without  too  much 
risk  of  life,  I  wish  you  to  do  so.  In  case  you  pass 
the  fort,  you  will  continue  to  the  railroad,  and  de 
stroy  or  capture  the  steamer. 

When  you  have  completed  this  reconnoissance  you 
will  please  proceed  to  the  St.  John's  river,  and  relieve 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Nicholson  in  the  command  of 
those  waters. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  24! 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  July  26th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  D.  AMMEN,  United  States 
Steamer  Seneca : 

SIR  :  —  I  regret  much  the  disabled  condition  of 
the  Seneca;  but  it  is  doubtless  owing,  in  part,  to  her 
constant  service  for  ten  months  under  your  efficient 
command.  The  vessel  ought  to  go  North,  and  I  will 
send  her  soon ;  but  it  is  necessary,  for  a  short  time, 
that  she  perform  some  inside  work. 

You  will,  therefore,  proceed  to  Wassaw  Inlet  and 
relieve  Commander  Strong,  that  he  may  resume  block 
ading  duty  off  Charleston,  where  a  vessel  has  recently 
got  in. 

You  are  familiar  with  the  waters  and  tributaries 
of  Wassaw  Inlet.  Whatever  you  can  learn  of  the 
condition  of  things  at  Savannah  will  be  desirable. 

I  will  communicate  frequently  with  you,  and  re 
lieve  you  as  soon  as  I  can. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  You  will  please  render  any  assistance  in 
your  power  to  Commander  Strong  in  getting  the  old 
hulk  out;  being  very  careful  of  your  machinery. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


16 


242  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  28th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  the  arrival  here  yesterday  of  the  gunboat  Marble- 
head,  Lieutenant  Commanding  S.  Nicholson ;  and  to 
day  of  the  gunboat  Sebago,  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Henry ;  the  latter,  being  all  ready  for  sea,  proceeds 
in  the  morning  off  Charleston. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  29th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  omitted,  heretofore,  officially  to  in 
form  the  Department  of  an  important  occurrence  that 
took  place  about  the  middle  of  May  last. 

The  Sumter  was  stationed  at  Wassaw,  on  the  in 
ner  blockade.  Her  commander,  Lieutenant  Pattison, 
sent  one  of  his  boats,  by  the  inner  passage,  to  Fort 
Pulaski,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  information  con 
cerning  the  enemy's  gunboats,  and  placed  her  in  charge 
of  Acting  Master  Levi  Crowell.  Several  other  offi 
cers  were  permitted  to  go  at  the  same  time. 

By  some  unaccountable  mistake,  the  boat,  instead 
of  continuing  on  the  route  to  Pulaski,  wandered  up 
Wilmington  Narrows,  and  got  into  St.  Augustine  creek 
near  Fort  Jackson,  and  was  taken  by  the  pickets  of 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  243 

the    rebels.      This    information    was,    subsequently,    ob 
tained   under   a   flag   of  truce. 

I  have  endeavored,  through  General  Hunter,  to  ef 
fect  an  exchange,  but  my  efforts  have  not  been  suc 
cessful.  The  officers  and  men,  by  the  last  information, 
were  at  Augusta,  Georgia. 

Their   names   and   rates   are    as    follows : 

Levi  Crowell,   acting  master. 

Chas.  G.  Stevens,  acting  second   assistant  engineer. 

Warren  Ewen,  acting  third  assistant  engineer. 

Frank  W.  Turner,  acting  master's  mate. 

Robert  F.  Russ,  acting  master's  mate. 

William  F.  Sprague,  coxswain. 

Henry  Slother,  quartermaster. 

John  Ward,  seaman. 

James  Durham,  seaman. 

O.  F.  Stone,  ordinary  seaman. 

John  Miller,  ordinary  seaman. 

W.  J.  C.  Mclntire,  ordinary  seaman. 

David  Wooster,  steward. 

Thomas  Fay,  steward. 

Alfred  W.  Minor,  surgeon's  steward. 

I  have  forwarded  the  list  in  case  there  is  a  gen 
eral  exchange  of  prisoners. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  I  learn  that  the  above  -  named  persons  are 
very  comfortably  off  at  Augusta. 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Flag  Officer. 


244  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  3oth,  1862. 

Commander  C.  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Steamer  Paul  Jones, 
St.  John's  River : 

SIR  :  —  On  the  receipt  of  this  order  you  will  please 
return  at  once  with  the  Paul  Jones  to  this  anchorage, 
leaving  the  blockade  of  the  St.  John's  river  in  charge 
of  Acting  Master  H.  M.  Gregory,  commanding  the 
Patroon. 

I  am  compelled  to  reduce  the  force  in  the  St. 
John's  river;  and  if  there  be  any  undue  risk  in  keep 
ing  the  river  open  to  Jacksonville,  it  will  be  sufficient 
to  maintain  the  blockade  from  Mayport  Mills,  or  a 
more  suitable  anchorage ;  and  for  this  the  Patroon 
and  the  Uncas  will  suffice. 

You  will  give  such  instructions  to  Acting  Master 
Gregory  as  your  short  experience  there  may  enable 
you  to  do;  but  he  has  been  so  long  employed  in 
those  waters,  that  I  rely  upon  his  judgment,  and 
therefore  leave  him  in  charge. 

Please   furnish    him   with   a   copy   of    this    letter. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  Please  bring  up  with  you  W.  Thos.  Kemp, 
surgeon's  steward  of  the  Patroon.  He  will  be  dis 
charged  by  Acting  Master  Gregory  of  that  vessel;  the 
former  surgeon  of  the  Patroon,  Dr.  Pindell,  having 
desired  it. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  24$ 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  July  3oth,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  P.  BANKHEAD,  United  States  Steamer 
Pembina,  Charleston  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  information  that  the  rebels 
intend  to  run  the  blockade  either  by  the  Savannah 
river  or  Wassaw,  and  I  desire  to  increase  the  force  at 
Wassaw,  as  the  Seneca  has  very  little  steam  power. 

There  is  also  some  information,  apparently  reliable, 
that  a  ram  is  completed  at  Savannah. 

Commander  Marchand  has  orders  to  send  the 
Pembina  at  once  to  Wassaw.  You  will  report  to 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Ammen. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  ist,  1862. 

Brigadier  General  R.  SAXTON,  Military  Governor  : 

GENERAL  :  —  A  good  many  articles  were  brought 
down  in  a  gunboat  from  Georgetown,  which  were  taken 
from  the  house  of  a  Mr.  Blake.  The  house,  having  been 
used  by  rebel  pickets,  was  burned  by  order  of  the 
senior  naval  officer  there. 

I  have  not  permitted  any  of  these  articles  to  be 
retained  by  officers  or  men,  and  have  had  them  de 
livered  to  the  provost  marshal  at  Hilton  Head,  to  be 
held  subject  to  your  orders,  believing  this  was  the 
proper  course. 


246  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Some  jewelry,  not  of  much  value,  but  because  it 
was  jewelry,  I  thought  best  to  be  retained  here  until 
you  authorized  some  one  to  receive  it. 

I  am,  General,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient 
servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  ist,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  REED  WERDEN,  United  States 
Steamer  Conemaugh : 

SIR:  —  The  Savannah  river,  since  the  capture  of 
Fort  Pulaski,  has  been  left  free,  without  a  vessel  of 
war.  I  have  reason  to  believe,  however,  that  some 
preparations  are  making  to  run  the  blockade  from  and 
into  Savannah,  avoiding  the  fire  of  Pulaski  by  using 
some  of  the  tributary  streams. 

You  will  please  proceed  to  the  Savannah  river, 
and  after  communicating  with  the  commanding  officer 
of  Fort  Pulaski,  who  may  have  some  desirable  infor 
mation  to  give,  you  will  select  a  station  in  New  river, 
or  in  Calibogue  Sound,  or  under  the  fort,  or  in  any 
location  which  your  judgment  may  dictate,  to  prevent 
ingress  or  egress  of  vessels  attempting  to  run  the 
blockade. 

I  enclose  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  colonel  com 
manding  Pulaski,  to  the  Commanding  General  of  the 
Department,  and  transmitted  to  me 

Since  writing  the  above  I  have  examined  the  chart, 
and  call  your  attention  to  a  spot  at  the  southern  ex 
tremity  of  the  deep  water  channel  from  Calibogue 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT,  247 

Sound,  which  would  command  the  channel  by  a  cross 
fire  with  the  battery  on  Tybee,  give  a  longer  notice 
from  Pulaski  of  anything  approaching,  and  an  easy 
access  to  go  up  Calibogue  Sound,  if  this  became 
necessary. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  2d,  1862. 

Commander  J.  B.  MARCHAND, 

Senior  Officer  off  Charleston,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  We  have  information  through  a  letter  from 
one  of  the  crew  of  the  Restless  that  the  English 
sailing  barque  that  came  into  this  harbor,  reporting 
she  had  yellow  fever  on  board,  has  been  at  anchor 
somewhere  near  the  Restless  station. 

This  vessel,  after  lying  some  days  here,  and 
having  received  medical  attendance  and  supplies,  was 
sent  out  by  General  Hunter.  She  was  afterwards 
spoken  by  the  Western  World,  standing  in  for  George 
town,  and  showed  the  boarding  officers  General  Hun 
ter's  order  for  her  departure  from  here.  He  said  she 
was  bound  for  New  York.  If  it  be  after  this  that 
she  was  down  on  your  station,  it  would  be  almost 
conclusive  evidence  that  she  was  intending  to  run 
the  blockade. 

The  custom-house  boarded  her  here;  she  re 
ported  bound  to  Cronstadt,  Russia,  from  Havana ;  owing 
to  the  yellow  fever  being  supposed  to  be  on  board, 
her  hatches  were  not  opened. 


248  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

If  hovering  near  you,  take  her,  and  send  her 
North  for  examination,  reporting  the  circumstances,  and 
making  her  stop  at  the  Lazaretto. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT. 

Flag  Officer. 

P.  S.  —  You  will  please  order  the  Mohawk  to  re 
turn  at  once  to  North  Edisto,  and  assume  charge  of 
those  waters.  I  have  discovered  that  I  did  not  send 
you  this  order  by  the  Marblehead. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  yth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  the  United  States  gunboat  Unadilla  captured 
the  British  steamer  Lodona,  at  half  past  twelve,  on  the 
4th  inst.,  in  Hell  Gate,  between  the  Ogeechee  and  Ver- 
non  rivers,  Ossebaw  Sound,  for  violating  the  blockade. 

She  attempted,  the  night  before,  to  run  into  Tybee, 
expecting  to  run  up  the  Savannah  river,  past  Fort 
Pulaski ;  but  she  was  fired  upon  by  the  battery  near 
the  Martello  tower,  on  Tybee;  one  shot  from  which 
penetrated  the  cabin.  She  then  ran  out  to  sea,  and 
the  following  day  entered  into  Ossebaw  Sound,  where 
she  was  taken  by  the  Unadilla. 

As  soon  as  she  discovered  the  Unadilla  she  at 
tempted  to  run  through  Hell  Gate,  but  got  aground,  and 
then  hoisted  the  English  ensign,  Union  down. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  249 

The  Lodona  is  a  new  steamer,  built  this  year  at 
Kingston -upon- Hull ;  and  among  her  papers  was  a 
permit  from  the  United  States  consul  at  Leeds,  to  go 
to  Port  Royal  and  Beaufort,  N.  C. 

Her  cargo,  by  manifest,  consists  of  brandy,  wines, 
tea,  coffee,  salt,  clothing,  boots,  drugs,  watches,  figs,, 
raisins,  whisky,  starch,  soap,  tin  plates,  soda,  dry  goods, 
paints,  colors,  quinine,  etc. 

She  proceeds  to  Philadelphia  in  charge  of  Lieu 
tenant  C.  H.  Greene,  of  the  Unadilla,  with  Acting 
Master  G.  W.  Hayward,  of  the  Potomska,  and  Acting 
Master  H.  M.  Gregory,  of  the  Isaac  Smith,  and  Acting 
Second  Assistant  Engineer  B.  F.  Beckett,  and  Acting 
Third  Assistant  Engineer  G.  F.  Fuller,  formerly  of  the 
Conemaugh,  and  latterly  of  the  Crusader,  and  sixteen 
men  from  the  Unadilla,  and  six  firemen  and  four  coal 
heavers  of  the  Crusader.  The  times  of  some  of  these 
men  are  out,  or  nearly  so,  and  of  course  entitled  to* 
their  discharge. 

Her  supercargo,  Mr.  Perdue,  and  her  captain, 
Charles  E.  Luckie,  go  North  in  her.  Both  have  admit 
ted  that  they  were  attempting  to  run  the  blockade. 

Her  crew  have  been  transferred  to  the  Crusader, 
which  will  proceed  to  New  York  in  a  few  days  in 
tow  of  the  Arago. 

I  have  written  to  Flag  Officer  Paulding  to  retain 
them  on  board  of  the  Crusader  until  further  directions 
from  the  Department,  as  some  of  them  may  possibly 
be  required  as  witnesses,  in  which  case  it  seems  to 
me  but  proper  that  the  Government  should  pay  for 
their  transportation  to  Philadelphia. 

Among  the  papers  forwarded  to  me  by  the  De 
partment  is  a  copy  of  a  communication  from  the  United 
States  consulate  at  Liverpool  to  the  Secretary  of  State, 


25O  OFFICIA  L  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

dated  June  nth,  and  one  from  the  United  States  con 
sulate  at  Falmouth,  dated  June  3d,  referring  to  this 
steamer.  How  far  these  documents  can  be  used  in 
evidence  before  the  prize  court,  I  am  unable  to  say; 
the  Department  can  judge,  and  use  them  accordingly. 
Enclosed  is  a  list  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
Unadilla  entitled  to  a  share  in  the  prize. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  August  7th,  1862. 

Hon.  JOHN  CADWALADER,  United  States  District  Judge, 
Philadelphia : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  United 
States  gunboat  Unadilla,  Lieutenant  Commanding  N. 
Collins,  captured  the  British  steamer  Lodona,  at  12.30 
P.  M.,  August  4th,  in  Hell  Gate,  between  the  Ogeechee 
and  Vernon  rivers,  Ossebaw  Sound,  for  violating  the 
blockade. 

At  eleven  A.  M.,  the  Unadilla,  being  in  Florida 
Passage  to  the  southward  of  the  Ogeechee,  discovered 
a  strange  steamer  coming  up  towards  the  latter  river. 
Upon  her  discovering  the  Unadilla,  she  attempted  to 
run  through  Hell  Gate,  where  she  grounded,  and 
hoisted  the  English  ensign,  Union  down,  and  a  white 
flag  at  her  mizzen. 

The  Unadilla  ran  down  near  her,  hoisted  the 
American  ensign,  sent  a  boat  on  board,  took  posses 
sion  of  her,  and  soon  succeeded  in  getting  her  afloat. 
On  examining  her  papers  it  was  ascertained  that  she 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


was  the  Lodona,  of  Hull,  from  London,  via  Bermuda 
and  Nassau,  bound  to  Beaufort,  N.  C,  and  Port  Royal, 
with  a  cargo  of  brandy,  wines,  tea,  coffee,  salt,  cloth 
ing,  boots,  drugs,  watches,  figs,  raisins,  whisky,  starch, 
soap,  tin  plates,  soda,  dry  goods,  paints,  colors,  quinine, 
etc.,  etc.,  as  per  manifest  found  on  board. 

Her  supercargo,  Mr.  Perdue,  and  Captain  Luckie, 
admit  that  they  attempted  to  run  into  Savannah  the 
night  before,  but  were  driven  off  by  the  guns  at  the 
Martello  tower,  Tybee  Island,  one  shell  from  which 
penetrated  and  exploded  in  her  cabin,  and  that  they 
were  running  the  blockade,  and  were  taken  "bloody- 
handed." 

From  her  register  and  crew  list,  it  appears  that 
she  was  built  this  year,  at  Kingston  -upon-  Hull  ;  has 
one  deck,  three  masts,  barque  -rigged,  elliptical  stern, 
clinker  built,  no  galleries,  no  head,  frame  -work  and 
hull  of  iron,  two  hundred  and  four  and  two-tenths 
feet  long,  twenty-eight  and  four-tenths  feet  wide,  sixteen 
and  five-tenths  feet  deep.  Total  tonnage,  six  hundred 
and  eighty-seven  and  ninety-three  one-hundredths  ;  one 
hundred  and  fourteen  and  eighty-nine  one-hundredths 
tons  for  space  required  for  propelling  power;  leaving 
five  hundred  and  seventy-three  and  four  one-hundredths 
register  tonnage.  Length  of  engine  room,  twenty-six 
feet  eight  inches.  Two  engines,  estimated  horse-power, 
eighty. 

Charles  E.  Luckie  is  master,  and  Z.  C.  Pearson,  of 
London,  sole  owner.  Total  of  crew  and  officers,  twenty- 
seven.  Among  her  papers,  which  were  found,  are  the 
register  crew  list,  manifest  of  cargo,  official  log-book, 
invoice  of  cargo,  custom-house  papers,  and  a  permit 
from  the  United  States  consul  at  Leeds  to  go  to 
Port  Royal  and  Beaufort,  N.  C. 


252  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  may  add  that,  to  prevent  being  seen,  the  Lodona 
had  all  her  yards  and  topmasts  on  deck  at  the  time 
she  was  discovered  and  captured. 

I  send  her  to  Philadelphia  for  adjudication  in 
charge  of  Lieutenant  C.  H.  Greene,  United  States  Navy, 
who  will  deliver  to  you  the  accompanying  papers 
(being  all  that  were  found  on  board),  and  will  furnish 
the  necessary  evidence. 

The  master,  Charles  E.  Luckie,  and  the  supercargo, 
Mr.  Perdue,  go  in  the  prize;  the  rest  of  the  officers 
and  crew  will  be  taken  to  New  York  by  the  United 
States  steamer  Crusader. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  7th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  De 
partment  the  capture  of  the  schooner  Aquila,  of 
seventy-seven  tons,  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  inst, 
by  the  Huron,  whilst  attempting  to  run  out  from 
Charleston  by  Maffitt's  channel.  She  was  bound  to 
Nassau,  and  had  on  board  between  three  hundred  and 
four  hundred  barrels  of  turpentine. 

No  papers  were  found,  and  the  written  leaves  of 
the  log-book  torn  out,  and  no  flag. 

She  was  sent  to  Philadelphia,  and  the  master,  W. 
H.  Ward,  and  one  man,  were  sent  as  witnesses ;  the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  253 

balance  of  the  crew,  four  in  number,  were  put  on  board 
the  Potomska,  which  sails  to-day  for  Philadelphia, 
broken  down. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  yth,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  W.  A.  NICHOLSON, 
U.  S.  S.  Isaac  Smith  : 

SIR:  —  You  will  proceed  at  once  with  the  Isaac 
Smith,  under  your  command,  to  New  York,  reporting 
the  arrival  of  your  vessel  to  Rear  Admiral  Paulding. 

You  will  then,  with  his  consent,  proceed  to  Wash 
ington  and  report  yourself  at  the  Navy  Department,  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  the  Bureau  of  Construction  on 
the  nature  and  extent  of  the  repairs  and  improvements 
to  be  put  on  the  Isaac  Smith,  the  superior  qualities  of 
which  vessel  you  will  be  able  to  represent. 

I  think  it  my  duty  to  express  to  you  the  full 
appreciation  I  have  placed  upon  your  services  on  this 
station,  from  the  action  against  the  Port  Royal  forts, 
and  though  the  varied,  difficult,  and  responsible  duties  I 
have  given  you  to  perform  so  frequently,  as  senior 
officer,  when  separated  from  me. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


254  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  7th,  1862. 

Commander  J.  R.  GOLDSBOROUGH, 

Senior  Officer,  St.  Simon's : 

SIR:  —  Brigadier -General  Saxton  proceeds  to  St. 
Simon's  with  a  large  force  of  the  First  South  Caro 
lina  Regiment  Volunteers,  to  take  charge  of  the  con 
traband  settlement  on  St.  Simon's  Island. 

You  will  transfer  to  him  the  control  of  this  Island, 
giving  however  such  support  by  your  gunboats,  to  the 
protection  of  the  settlement,  as  lies  within  your  power; 
and  showing  the  same  interest  as  heretofore  in  this 
colony,  which  owes  its  origin  and  existence  to  the  navy. 

Respectfully,  etc. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  7th,  1862. 

Acting  Master  A.  T.  SNELL,  United  States  Ship 
E.  B.  Hale: 

SIR:  —  Immediately  upon  receipt  of  these  orders 
you  will  proceed  with  the  E.  B.  JJale,  under  your 
command,  to  St.  John's  river,  Florida,  and  assume  charge 
of  the  blockade  of  those  waters ;  receiving  from  Acting 
Master  McKiege  of  the  Patroon  such  information  as 
his  experience  in  that  vicinity  will  suggest. 

Should  there  not  be  a  medical  officer  on  board 
the  Uncas,  you  will  detach  Assistant  Surgeon  Moore 
from  the  Patroon  and  order  him  to  the  Hale  or  Uncas. 

Acting  Master  Dickinson  of  the  Patroon,  a  pilot 
for  St.  John's  river,  is  ordered  to  report  for  duty  on 
board  the  Hale. 


ADMIRAL  S.  K  DU PONT.  255 

As  senior  officer  in  these  waters,  your  principal 
duty  will  be  to  maintain  an  inside  blockade  of  that 
river;  in  addition  to  which  you  will  maintain  the 
free  navigation  of  the  same  as  far  as  Jacksonville,  so 
far  as  your  force  will  enable  you  to  do  so. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  Nicholson,  late  senior  offi 
cer  in  the  St.  John's,  informs  me  that  he  thinks  the 
enemy  contemplates  fortifying  Yellow  and  St.  John's 
Bluffs.  By  watching  their  movements  occasionally,  I 
think  you  will  be  able  to  prevent  their  making  any 
progress  at  those  points. 

You  will  get  your  supplies  of  coal  at  Fernan- 
dina;  and  in  case  you  are  unable  to  communicate 
directly  with  Port  Royal  by  means  of  the  schooner 
Garibaldi,  you  will  find  Fernandina  a  convenient  inter 
mediate  station  through  which  to  obtain  your  other 
supplies. 

I  am  not  aware  whether  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Nicholson  has  transmitted  my  instructions  in  reference 
to  contrabands;  but  I  presume  he  has.  Should  any 
come  off,  to  either  vessel,  you  will  receive  them;  and 
should  you  not  have  employment  for  them  on  board, 
you  will  transfer  them  to  the  military  commandant  at 
Fernandina. 

If  any  persons  representing  themselves  as  loyal 
citizens  apply  to  you  as  the  owners  of  any  such 
contrabands,  you  will  record  the  circumstance  in  the 
log-book,  together  with  the  name  of  such  applicant, 
making  a  report  of  the  circumstance  to  me;  but  you 
will  not  deliver  any  up. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


256  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  August  yth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  Enclosed  are  two  communications  from 
Commander  Marchand,  containing  some  statements  of 
contrabands  in  reference  to  the  iron-clad  vessels  in 
Charleston,  upon  which  however  it  would  be  unwise 
to  place  much  dependence. 

Commander  Marchand  also  refers  to  the  blockade 
and  the  difficulties  attending  it. 

I  have  no  reason  to  doubt  the  watchfulness  of 
any  of  the  officers  of  that  division  of  my  squadron ;  and 
having  been  myself  there  on  two  occasions,  I  can  fully 
appreciate  the  great  obstacles  in  the  way  of  maintain 
ing  a  perfect  blockade. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  loth,  1862. 

Flag  Officer  PENDERGRAST,  Commandant  U.  S. 
Navy  Yard,  Philadelphia : 

SIR:  —  The  Wabash  returned  here  on  Thursday  last, 
and  Captain  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  has  taken  much  pleas 
ure  in  reporting  to  me  the  ready  and  earnest  zeal  dis 
played  by  the  officers,  heads  of  departments,  and 
mechanics  of  the  yard  under  your  command,  in  further 
ing  in  every  way  the  improvements  and  repairs  which 
her  brief  visit  would  admit  of. 

I  never  knew  so  many  and  such  important  ones 
accomplished  in  the  same  number  of  days,  and  I  have 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU  PONT. 


just  written  to  the  Honorable  Secretary  to  make  men 
tion  of  this  fact,  stating  the  principal  ones. 

I  beg  to  add  my  thanks  for  one  in  which  I  had 
a  personal  interest,  —  the  change  of  arrangements  in  my 
cabin;  adapting  it  more  to  the  great  heats  of  the 
coast,  just  commencing  in  this  month  with  fearful  in 
tensity. 

Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  transmit  my  thanks 
to  Mr.  Hoover  ;  Lieutenant  Rolando  ;  the  ordnance  offi 
cer,  Lieutenant  Badger;  Paymaster  Rittenhouse;  the  in 
spector  of  the  station  ;  and  to  any  other  in  the  yard 
to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  carrying  out  so  promptly 
your  own  efficient  and  considerate  views  in  the  matter. 

I    am,  sir,   with    great   respect,  your   most   obedient 

servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  loth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  announce  the  re 
turn  to  this  station  of  the  Wabash,  under  Commander 
Rodgers. 

I  beg  the  Department  will  receive  the  very  cordial 
expression  of  thanks  for  having  carried  out,  in  reference 
to  this  ship,  the  suggestions  which  I  had  respectfully 
submitted. 

She  started  punctually  on  the  earliest  day  I  could 
have  believed  possible,  and,  notwithstanding  the  very 
brief  period  of  her  visit,  she  has  come  back  to  this 
station  greatly  improved.  17 


258  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  increase  of  the  calibre  of  her  spar-deck  bat 
tery,  the  accession  of  a  two-hundred  pounder  rifled  gun, 
the  refishing  of  the  mainmast,  and  the  placing  of  a 
new  quadrant  on  the  rudder,  together  with  the  re 
pairing  of  her  deck  where  worn  by  the  guns,  are  im 
provements  of  a  very  important  character,  and  I 
could  not  have  believed  they  could  have  been  accom 
plished  in  so  short  a  time. 

May  I  ask  the  Department  to  send  a  copy  of 
this  communication  to  the  commander  of  the  Navy 
Yard  at  Philadelphia,  as  an  expression  of  my  apprecia 
tion  of  the  manner  in  which  the  work  has  been  done, 
and  my  thanks  for  the  same. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  loth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  Incidentally,  in  other  communications,  I  have 
referred  to  the  departure  of  the  Potomska  and  Isaac 
Smith  for  the  North,  yet  I  have  not  formally  reported 
the  fact. 

The  Potomska  sailed  on  the  morning  of  the  7th 
for  Philadelphia,  and  the  Isaac  Smith  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day  for  New  York. 

The  Isaac  Smith  has  been  a  most  valuable  vessel 
for  the  inland  waters  here,  and  is  worthy  of  the  im 
provements  and  repairs  which  her  commander  has 
recommended,  and  which  I  have  forwarded  to  the 
Bureau  of  Construction. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  259 

The  Potomska  has  been  also  a  very  useful  vessel 
for  similar  services ;  but  I  am  not  prepared  to  sug 
gest  how  far  she  may  or  may  not  be  repaired.  This 
can  best  be  decided  by  survey. 

I  have  further  to  report  that  the  Crusader  leaves 
to-day,  in  tow  of  the  Arago,  for  New  York ;  and  I 
do  not  hesitate  to  give  it  as  my  opinion  to  the 
Department  that  she  is  not  worth  repairing. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  nth,  1862. 

Captain  J.  R.  GOLDSBOROUGH, 

Senior  Officer,  St.  Simon's: 

SIR  :  —  I  received  last  evening  your  communica 
tion  by  the  Alabama,  referring  to  the  appearance  of 
the  rebels  and  their  landing  on  St.  Simon's  Island, 
and  the  disposition  of  your  force  in  consequence. 

I  was  gratified  to  learn  that  your  measures  have 
been  so  efficient  and  successful ;  but  I  have  to  inform 
you  that  there  is  an  evident  intention  to  run  the 
blockade  through  the  waters  of  Georgia,  at  the  present 
time,  and  the  various  points  of  entrance  must  be  as 
effectually  guarded  as  the  force  under  you  will  per 
mit;  and  I  am  increasing  it  by  sending  you  the 
Alabama. 

If  the  colony  on  St.  Simon's  should  require  more 
protection,  it  will  have  to  be  given  by  the  army.  I 
will  thank  you  to  inform  me  on  this  point. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.    F.    Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


260  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Aug.  nth,  1862. 

Commander  T.  G.  CORBIN,  United  States  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  You  are  hereby  ordered  to  relieve  Com 
mander  Rodgers,  in  command  of  this  ship. 

Understanding  from  the  latter  that  you  scarcely 
left  the  vessel,  during  her  recent  visit  to  the  North, 
lest  the  progress  of  her  repairs  should  be  retarded, 
you  can  go  North  in  the  Massachusetts,  returning  in 
the  next  trip  of  that  vessel  to  assume  your  new  du 
ties  here. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Vermont, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  ad,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  detached  Acting  Assistant  Paymas 
ter  Seymour  F.  Frizell  from  the  United  States  ship 
Western  World,  and  sent  him  North,  directing  him  to 
report  his  arrival  to  the  Department  by  letter.  The 
accounts  of  that  vessel,  for  the  present,  are  in  the 
hands  of  Acting  Assistant  Paymaster  Coit,  of  the  Val 
paraiso. 

An  expedition  up  the  Santee  river  had  been  un 
dertaken  by  Commander  Prentiss,  with  the  Western 
World,  Henry  Andrews,  and  E.  B.  Hale,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  burning  the  railroad  bridge,  some  seventy  miles 
from  the  mouth,  which  however  failed  in  consequence 
of  the  sharp  bends  of  that  river,  which  none  of  the 
steamers,  except  the  Hale,  could  pass. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  261 

In  passing  Blake's  plantation  they  were  fired  upon 
by  artillery,  riflemen,  and  cavalry,  and  Commander 
Prentiss  very  properly  shelled  the  place  and  destroyed 
the  mill  and  dwelling  which  harbored  the  rebels,  and 
had  been  long  used  as  the  headquarters  of  a  regiment 
stationed  there  to  protect  vessels  running  the  blockade 
through  South  Santee  and  Alligator  creek.  Commander 
Prentiss  however  permitted  the  house  to  be  plundered,  and 
a  great  many  articles  were  taken  on  board  the  steamers. 

After  the  vessels  had  returned  off  Georgetown  he 
gave  orders  to  the  commanding  officers  to  have  all 
the  property  delivered  up,  packed  in  boxes,  to  be  sent 
to  Port  Royal. 

The  commanding  officers  of  the  different  vessels 
called  the  officers  and  men  to  muster,  and  read  the 
order,  which  was  generally  complied  with. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster  Frizell  professed  to  de 
liver  up  all  plunder  in  his  possession,  but  suspicion 
being  raised  that  he  had  not  complied  with  the  order, 
his  room  was  searched,  and  many  articles  found  which 
had  been  taken  from  Blake's  plantation. 

Upon  these  facts  coming  to  my  knowledge  I  de 
tached  Acting  Assistant  Paymaster  Frizell,  and  sent  him 
North.  I  recommend  his  dismissal  from  the  service. 

May  I  ask  the  Department  to  dispatch  another 
paymaster  for  the  Western  World. 

I  may  add,  in  conclusion,  that  all  the  plunder 
above  mentioned  was  by  my  order  delivered  over  to 
the  provost  marshal  at  Hilton  Head,  to  be  taken 
charge  of  by  Brigadier-General  Saxton,  the  military 
governor  of  South  Carolina. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag   Officer. 


262  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Aug.  isth,  1862. 

To   His   Excellency  the   President: 

SIR:  —  I  have  often  been  desired  to  address  you, 
by  various  persons  and  for  different  ends,  but  I  have 
never  before  ventured  to  intrude  upon  your  vast  la 
bors. 

An  old  and  very  dear  friend  of  mine,  whom  I 
have  known  intimately  abroad  while  engaged  in  what 
I  deem  the  most  heroic  of  occupations,  carrying  and 
preaching  the  gospel  to  the  heathen,  writes  me  he  is 
an  applicant  for  a  chaplaincy. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  a  foreign  land  we  met 
again,  and  I  know  his  loyalty  to  the  Union  to  be  above 
suspicion;  I  mention  this  particularly  because  his  con 
nection  with  a  church  in  Washington,  and  with  diffi 
cult  duties  incident  thereto,  have  started  doubts  on  this 
point. 

Without  expressing  an  opinion  whether  my  friend 
in  question,  the  Rev.  E.  W.  Syle,  acted  unwisely,  or 
not,  in  those  controversies,  I  can  vouch  not  only  for 
his  loyalty,  but  for  his  eminent  fitness  for  the  station 
he  asks,  having  especial  attributes  for  filling  it,  viz., 
the  highest  Christian  virtues,  with  remarkable  tact  in 
dealing  with  his  fellow-men  and  winning  the  favor  of 
all  classes. 

If  your  Excellency  finds  it  in  accordance-  with 
your  own  views  to  appoint  the  Rev.  Mr.  Syle,  it  will 
be  a  matter  of  gratification  and  heartfelt  thanks  to 
your  Excellency's  most  faithful  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  263 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  isth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  This  will  be  handed  you  by  Acting  Master 
S.  W.  Preston,  who  has  been  Flag  Lieutenant  to  this 
squadron.  I  could  not  spare  him  to  go  North  in 
the  Wabash,  but  the  return  of  Captain  Rodgers  enables 
me  to  do  so  now. 

If  I  were  to  express  my  opinion  of  Mr.  Preston's 
services  in  this  fleet,  and  the  relief  his  intelligent  en 
ergy  has  been  to  me,  personally,  in  the  discharge  of 
my  own  duties,  it  might  seem  exaggerated;  but  it  is 
due  to  him,  and  to  the  navy,  to  say  that  if  ever  an 
officer  has  earned  his  promotion,  it  is  Mr.  Preston. 

I  am  not  aware  how  far  the  Department  intends 
to  go  down  in  the  promotion  of  passed  midshipmen; 
from  the  demand  for  regular  lieutenants  being  so  great, 
I  presume  it  will  promote  all  that  are  found  compe 
tent. 

Mr.  Preston  stands  at  the  head  of  the  class  of 
1858.  If  the  Department  intended  not  to  go  below 
that  of  1857,  he  could  still  be  promoted,  without  do 
ing  injustice,  or  passing  over  any  one,  while  it  would 
give  merit  a  distinctive  reward. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


264  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  i8th,  1862. 

Captain  GUERT  GANSEVOORT,  U.  S.  Ship 
Adirondack : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  to  our  force  off  Nassau, 
according  to  the  orders  contained  in  the  Honorable 
Secretary's  dispatch  of  August  1 3th.  Communicate  with 
the  consul  of  the  United  States,  if  you  can  do  so 
without  violating  the  rules  of  the  port  of  Nassau,  given 
to  you  on  your  recent  visit. 

You    will    return   here   with   all    dispatch. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  i8th,  1862. 

Major-General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South: 

GENERAL  :  —  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your 
communication  of  the  i6th  inst.,  in  reference  to  the 
establishment  of  quarantine  regulations  for  this  harbor, 
and  more  especially  in  view  of  yellow  fever,  of  a 
malignant  type,  having  appeared  at  Key  West. 

I  need  hardly  add  that  I  shall  co-operate  with 
you  most  earnestly  in  carrying  out  your  views  on 
this  important  subject. 

I  will  issue  without  delay  a  general  order  to  the 
vessels  of  my  fleet,  informing  them  of  the  proposed 
regulations ;  and  will  station  immediately  a  vessel,  at 
some  suitable  point  between  this  and  the  bar,  to  act 
as  a  guard-boat  in  conjunction  with  the  health -boat 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DV PONT.  26$ 

of  the  army,  on  which  the  medical  officers,  I   presume, 
will   reside. 

I  am  not  prepared  to  suggest,  at  this  moment, 
where  the  quarantine  grounds  should  be  located,  to 
which  my  attention  was  called,  verbally,  by  your  As 
sistant  Adjutant  General,  Captain  Smith.  I  am  dis 
posed  to  think  that  St.  Helena  Sound  would  be  pre 
ferable  to  any  place  in  this  harbor,  or  the  Savannah 
river. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  General,  with  much  re 
spect,  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  i8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  The  Department  has  already  been  informed 
of  the  continuous  wearing  out  of  the  steamers  of  this 
squadron  from  long  and  constant  use;  the  repairs  of 
which,  in  many  cases,  being  beyond  the  capacity  of 
our  machine  shop. 

I  have  to  thank  the  Department  for  its  efforts  to 
supply  deficiencies  thus  created,  and  for  sending  me 
four  efficient  vessels  of  their  class ;  but  unfortunately  I 
have  now  to  report  that  the  four  regular  gunboats, 
Unadilla,  Ottawa,  Seneca,  and  Pembina,  which  left  in  the 
expedition  in  October  last,  and  have  been  important 
vessels  in  this  squadron,  and  perhaps  overworked  by 
me,  have  given  way.  I  am  pleased  to  say,  however, 
they  are  such  fine  vessels,  and  so  well  constructed  on 
the  whole,  that  I  am  induced  to  believe  three  weeks 


266  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

will  suffice  to  render  them  efficient  again,  provided  some 
special  measures  are  taken  to  require  the  work  to  be 
done  in  that  time. 

As  these  vessels  may  be  of  vast  importance  later, 
and  are  no  longer  of  any  use  to  me,  except  as  a  show 
of  force,  I  have  concluded  to  send  them,  severally, 
as  I  can  get  them  prepared,  to  New  York,  where  the 
patterns  of  their  machinery  are,  which  will  save  time 
in  their  repairs. 

I  am  sure  the  Department  will  hurry  out  the 
vessels  it  has  promised  me.  The  Canandaigua,  Hous- 
atonic,  and  Adirondack  have  not  yet  arrived.  The 
Flambeau  and  Norwich  I  thought  would  have  been 
here. 

As  these  gunboats  have  been  a  very  important 
element  in  this  squadron,  the  Department  will  appre 
ciate  my  anxiety  for  their  early  return  to  it ;  and  I 
respectfully  submit  that  the  Rear  Admiral  command 
ing  at  New  York,  who  will  sympathize  in  this  anxiety 
on  my  part,  may  be  directed  to  put  them  instantly 
in  hand;  to  authorize  night  work,  and  to  have  the 
minor  repairs  keep  pace  with  those  on  the  machinery, 
and  not  permit  the  vessels  to  go  out  of  commission, 
or  the  internal  organization  to  be  broken  up,  if  it  can 
possibly  be  avoided ;  with  such  other  arrangements  as 
his  own  better  judgment  may  suggest. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  Since  the  above  was  written  the  Adirondack 
has  arrived. 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  267 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  igth,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  the  De 
partment  the  following  apportionment  of  the  one-half 
of  the  appraised  value  of  the  steamer  Planter,  with 
her  armament  and  loose  guns  found  on  board,  among 
Robert  Small  and  his  associates : 

The  appraised  value  of  the  vessel  and  her  arma 
ment  was $9,000  oo 

The  appraised  value  of  loose  guns, 168  oo 

Total, $9,168  oo 

Amount  to  be  apportioned,  one-half, $4584  oo 

to  be  distributed  as  follows : 

Robert  Small,  leader  of  the  party, $1,500  oo 

John  Small, 450  oo 

A.  Gridiron,  old  engineer  of  Planter, 450  oo 

D.  Chisholm, 400  oo 

A.  Alston, 400  oo 

G.  Turno, ' 400  oo 

A.  Jackson, 400  oo 

W.  Morrison,  who   joined  the   Planter  after   she 

left  the  wharf, 384  oo 

Annie,    .   .   .  |     unprotected  women      f  .    .    .    .  100  oo 

Lavinia,     .    .  J           of  the  party,           1   ....  100  oo 

Total, $,4584  oo 

The  other  women,  not  mentioned  above,  derive 
benefit  through  their  various  relationship  to  the  men. 
These  two  have  no  such  connection,  and  are  destitute 
and  unprovided  for. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


268  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Aug.  igth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  the  within 
application  of  Commander  A.  G.  Clary. 

The  Dawn  is  one  of  the  lightest  armed  vessels 
in  my  squadron,  and  not  at  all  suited  for  a  com 
mander's  command.  I  have  permitted  Commander 
Clary  to  return  North,  that  he  may  obtain  a  better 
vessel ;  and  have  ordered  Acting  Lieutenant  J.  S.  Barnes 
to  the  command  of  the  Dawn,  in  his  place. 

The  promotions  under  the  grade  bill,  advancing 
so  many  younger  men  in  the  squadron,  have  placed 
Mr.  Barnes  in  a  very  peculiar  and  delicate  position. 
He  is  an  officer  of  great  merit,  and  I  trust  the  De 
partment  will  approve  the  appointment,  believing,  as  I 
do,  that  it  will  cause  no  dissatisfaction  in  the  fleet. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Aug.  igth,  1862. 

Rear  Admiral  SHUBRICK, 

Chairman  Light  -  house  Board  : 

ADMIRAL:  —  Though  it  is  not  on  my  station,  I 
beg  leave  to  recommend  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Light -house  Board  the  propriety  of  placing  a  light- 
vessel  on  the  Frying-pan  Shoals.  So  many  transports, 
colliers,  and  supply  vessels  of  various  kinds  come  here 
to  Port  Royal,  from  the  North,  that  I  think  this  aid 
to  their  general  bad  navigation  is  very  desirable. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  269 

One  of  the  most  skillful  and  intelligent  of  the 
army  transport  captains  having  come  to  me  especially 
on  the  subject,  I  promised  to  address  you  immediately. 

The  blockading  vessels  off  Cape  Fear  will  of 
course  insure  the  safety  of  a  light-vessel  there. 

With   great   respect,  Admiral,  yours,   etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  sist,  1862. 

Commander  G.  B.  BALCH,  United  States  Ship  Pocahontas, 
Senior  Officer  off  Georgetown : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  your  several  reports  of  the 
9th,  1 2th,  and  i$th  insts.,  and  am  gratified  at  the  man 
ner  in  which  you  have  conducted  affairs  in  the  waters 
of  Georgetown.  Your  reconnoissance  up  the  Black 
river  was  conducted  not  only  with  your  usual  spirit 
and  energy,  but  with  skill  and  judgment;  and  I  have 
forwarded  your  interesting  report  of  the  same  to  the 
Honorable  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

You  will  transmit  to  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant 
Baxter,  of  whose  conduct  you  speak  in  such  high 
terms  in  his  management  of  the  small  prize  steamer 
during  the  expedition,  my  warm  commendation  for  his 
zealous  and  spirited  discharge  of  duty. 

I  regret  however  to  learn  the  helpless  condition 
of  the  Pocahontas.  We  have  no  means  of  repairing 
her  here,  and  it  will  not  do  to  send  her  North  later 
in  the  season.  You  will,  therefore,  on  receipt  of  this, 
proceed  with  her  to  Philadelphia  without  delay. 

The   Pembina  takes    you  this  order  and  your  mails, 


2/O  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

with  provisions  for  the  Gem  of  the  Sea;  and  you 
will  leave  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Baxter  in  charge, 
until  I  can  send  a  steamer. 

I  regret  to  lose  the  Pocahontas  from  this  station. 
Please  say  to  her  officers  and  men  that  I  have  ever 
noted  the  prompt  manner  in  which  she  has  always 
responded  to  any  call  for  service. 

With  regard  to  yourself,  it  is  my  duty  and  pleasure 
to  say,  that  you  have  come  up  to  the  highest  re 
quirements  of  the  service  as  a  commanding  officer ; 
and  I  trust  the  Department,  which  is  already  informed 
by  me  of  your  merits,  will  give  you  a  better  vessel, 
and  send  you  back  to  this  station. 

Wishing   you    a   safe    run    home,  I   am, 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  I  regretted  to  hear  of  the  wound  to  Mr. 
Hill,  the  engineer.  If  still  living,  please  express  my 
sympathy. 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  aist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  the  report  of 
Commander  G.  B.  Balch,  of  a  reconnoissance  up  the 
Black  river,  some  twenty- five  miles  above  Georgetown, 
with  the  Pocahontas  and  the  captured  steam  tug  Treaty. 

It  was  conducted  with  the  energy  and  intrepidity 
characteristic  of  that  officer,  who  was  also  well  sup- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  2/1 

ported   by  Acting   Volunteer  Lieutenant  Baxter,  in  com 
mand  of   the  tug. 

The  expedition  was  undertaken  for  the  purpose  of 
capturing  a  rebel  steamer  called  the  Nina,  and  said  to 
be  in  Black  river,  about  forty  miles  above  Georgetown; 
but  after  ascending  some  twenty- five  miles,  and  shelling 
the  enemy  out  of  a  battery,  Commander  Balch  received 
reliable  information  that  the  machinery  had  been  re 
moved  from  the  steamer,  rendering  her  possession  use 
less  to  us. 

On  his  return  he  was  attacked  by  the  rebels  from 
the  woods,  on  both  sides  of  the  narrow  river,  and 
though  hotly  engaged,  succeeded  in  returning  to  his 
anchorage  with  only  one  casualty,  the  wounding  of  the 
Acting  Third  Assistant  Engineer,  J.  A.  Hill,  who  was 
severely  injured  by  a  minie  ball,  though  it  is  to  be 
hoped  not  fatally. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  the  Department  that  the 
condition  of  the  boilers  and  machinery  of  the  Poca- 
hontas  is  such  that  I  am  compelled  to  send  her 
North. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  2ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  the  Department's  letter  of  August  5th,  enclos 
ing  an  affidavit  of  the  supercargo,  mate,  and  others  of 


2/2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

the  steamer  Emilie,  alleging  improper  conduct  on  the 
part  of  the  officers  and  crews  of  the  boats  which  cap 
tured  her,  and  desiring  me  to  investigate  the  matter. 

I  forwarded  a  copy  of  the  affidavit  of  Commander 
Strong,  of  the  Flag,  and  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant 
Conroy,  of  the  Restless,  the  boats  from  which  ships 
boarded  and  seized  the  Emilie. 

The  reports  of  these  officers,  as  well  as  the  reports 
from  the  officers  engaged  in  the  expedition,  have  been 
received,  and  from  these  papers  I  have  ascertained  in 
substance  as  follows : 

ist.  That  the  British  ensign  was  hauled  down, 
N  but  unaccompanied  by  any  demonstration  of  passion  or 
indignity. 

2d.  That  some  of  the  men  became  intoxicated 
after  boarding  the  ship,  but  that  in  this  case,  as  in 
several  others  which  have  occurred  on  this  station,  the 
liquor  was  purposely  placed  by  the  officers  and  crew 
of  the  Emilie,  for  the  very  object  of  intoxicating  the 
sailors  boarding  them.  A  quantity  of  the  liquor  was 
thrown  overboard  by  our  officers  to  keep  it  from  their 
men. 

3d.  That  the  trunks,  etc.,  referred  to  as  having 
been  broken  open,  were  mostly  so  broken  by  the  offi 
cers  and  crew  of  the  Emilie  when  they  discovered  the 
boats  approaching,  and  most  of  their  contents  had  been 
put  into  a  boat,  which  was  endeavoring  to  escape  to 
the  shore,  when  the  parties  in  it  were  compelled  to 
return  to  the  Emilie  by  our  armed  force. 

4th.  That  no  pillage  was  discovered  in  any  of 
the  boats,  or  on  the  persons  of  the  men,  on  their  re 
turn  to  their  respective  ships,  except  in  one  boat  of 
the  Restless,  which  carried  off  one  pig,  about  thirty 
pounds  of  ham,  and  a  small  looking-glass.  On  this 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU POfyT.  273 

point   Commander   Strong   and    Acting   Volunteer   Lieu 
tenant    Conroy   speak   most    positively. 

5th.  That  there  was  no  quarrel  between  an  officer 
and  sailor,  as  alleged  in  the  affidavit.  A  sailor  of  the 
Flag  hit  his  arm  accidentally  against  the  point  of  a 
sword  bayonet  of  one  of  his  comrades,  but  the  scratch 
was  so  slight  that  the  man  did  not  think  it  neces 
sary  to  apply  to  the  surgeon. 

6th.  That  no  seaman  fell  overboard  from  intoxica 
tion,  and  was  drowned.  It  was  true  that  one  of  the 
seamen  was  drowned,  but  he  had  been  sent  into  a 
boat,  then  in  tow  of  the  Emilie,  to  steer  her  off;  the 
boat  had  no  rudder,  and  had  to  be  steered  by  an  oar; 
in  doing  so  the  oar  slipped  over  the  stern  post,  and 
the  man  fell  overboard  and  sunk  before  help  could 
reach  him. 

I  will  not  conceal  from  the  Department  that  some 
irregularities  appear  to  have  occurred,  owing  mainly  to 
to  the  inexperience  of  the  officers,  particularly  in  per 
mitting  their  crews  to  go  into  the  cabin  and  saloons 
of  the  prize,  where  the  liquor,  as  before  referred  to, 
was  scattered  about. 

I  have  taken  this  part  of  the  subject  in  hand, 
and  will  see  that  it  never  occurs  again  in  this  squad 
ron. 

I   am,  sir,  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


18 


274  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 

August  22d,  1862. 

Commander  J.  P.  BANKHEAD,  United  States  Ship 
Pembina : 

SIR:  —  There  being  no  means  of  repairing  the 
Pembina  on  this  station,  you  will  proceed  with  her  to 
New  York,  and  report  your  arrival  to  Rear  Admiral 
Paulding,  commanding  naval  station  there,  and  through 
him  to  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

You  will  on  your  way  call  in  at  Georgetown,  S.  C, 
and  deliver  the  supplies  and  mails  which  will  be  placed 
on  board  of  you,  to  the  Pocahontas  and  Gem  of  the 
Sea,  together  with  the  accompanying  dispatch  to  Com 
mander  Balch. 

I  take  this  occasion  to  say  that  you  have  shown 
yourself  a  very  efficient  commanding  officer  in  this 
squadron.  I  have  always  been  gratified  at  the  very 
prompt  manner,  however  short  the  notice,  in  which  you 
were  always  ready  for  service,  and  the  fidelity  with 
which  you  executed  my  orders.  This,  with  the  ex 
cellent  discipline  of  your  vessel,  and  her  good  order, 
has  left  me  nothing  to  desire  in  the  Pembina.  And 
I  wish  you  to  say  this  to  her  officers  and  men. 

I  shall  be  much  pleased  to  have  you  return  to 
this  squadron. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DUPON7. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  23d,  1862. 

Captain  J.  R.  GOLDSBOROUGH,  United  States  Ship  Florida, 
St.  Simon's  : 

SIR  :  —  In  forwarding  your  commission  as  captain, 
and  knowing  your  desire  to  obtain  a  more  suitable 
command  for  active  service,  I  will  anticipate  the  action 
of  the  Department. 

You  are  hereby  detached  from  the  Florida,  and 
can  take  passage  in  the  first  suitable  vessel  North, 
reporting  yourself  to  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  by  letter  on  your  arrival. 

You  will  please  transfer  the  command  of  the 
Florida,  for  the  present,  to  Lieutenant  Commander  R. 
W.  Scott,  her  present  executive  officer. 

I  take  occasion  to  bear  testimony  to  your  faith 
ful  discharge  of  duty  in  this  squadron,  and  to  say  I 
shall  be  pleased  to  see  you  return  to  it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  23d,  1862. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  J.  F.  NICKELS,  United  States  Ship 
Onward,  off  Charleston : 

SIR  :  —  A  memorial,  from  the  petty  officers  and 
crew  of  the  Onward,  has  been  forwarded  to  me  by 
the  senior  officer  of  the  division  of  this  squadron  off 
Charleston,  on  the  subject  of  the  withdrawal  of  the 
spirit  portion  of  the  ration,  by  a  recent  act  of  Con 
gress.  The  memorial  had  not  your  approval  as  the 


2/6  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

commander  of  the  Onward,  which  I  am  pleased  to 
notice. 

I  am  always  ready  to  forward  any  appeals  from 
either  officers  or  men  under  my  command,  whether  to 
the  Navy  Department  or  to  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States ;  but  these  must  be  couched  in  proper  terms, 
go  through  the  proper  channels,  and  be  in  conformity 
with  naval  usage  and  military  propriety. 

The  memorial  in  question,  which  I  return,  is  de 
ficient  in  all  these  respects ;  the  memorialists,  among 
other  points,  have  overlooked  the  terms  of  their  obli 
gations  and  enlistments.  The  shipping  articles,  which 
they  have  all  signed,  state  in  their  second  clause, 
"  We  do  also  oblige  and  subject  ourselves  to  serve 
during  the  term  aforesaid;  and  we  do  severally  oblige 
ourselves,  during  such  service,  to  comply  with  and  be 
subject  to  such  laws,  regulations,  and  discipline  of  the 
navy,  as  are,  or  that  may  be  established  by  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  or  other  competent  authority." 

Congress  has  always  regulated  the  navy  ration ; 
and  it  has  recently  passed  a  law,  approved  by  the 
President,  who  is  moreover  our  Commander- in -Chief, 
changing  that  portion  of  the  ration  which  allowed 
spirits,  and  substituting  a  liberal  compensation  in  money. 

I  regret  to  see  in  this  petition  that  United  States 
seamen,  belonging  to  the  South  Atlantic  blockading 
squadron,  should  look  upon  any  act  of  their  Govern 
ment  in  reference  to  them,  as  an  act  of  tyranny.  No 
nation  or  government  in  the  world  pays  its  seamen 
as  the  United  States  does.  No  government  issues 
such  a  ration  to  them,  whether  in  quantity,  quality,  or 
variety.  No  government  supplies  such  clothing  at 
cost.  No  government  cares,  to  the  same  extent,  for 
the  health  of  its  sailors.  No  government  allows  such 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


comforts  in  their  declining  years;  and  no  government 
provides,  to  the  same  extent,  for  those  who  come  after 
them. 

I  feel  mortified  to  think  that  even  a  few  of  the 
men  under  my  command  should,  instead  of  appreciat 
ing  such  blessings,  evince  a  querulous  spirit  with  the 
exercise  of  lawful  authority,  beneficently  directed. 

If  your  crew  desire  to  petition  for  the  substitu 
tion  of  the  spirit  ration,  and  do  it  respectfully,  it  is 
my  duty  to  forward  the  same;  and  I  will  do  so 
without  fail. 

Please   have   this   communication   read    to    them   on 
the   first   Sunday    muster   after   its   reception. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  23d,  1862. 

Commander  D.  AMMEN,  United  States  Ship 
Sebago : 

SIR:  —  From  information  received  to-day,  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  the  Nashville,  loaded  with  cot 
ton,  is  endeavoring  to  run  the  blockade.  She  is  either 
in  the  Ogeechee  or  Vernon  river. 

You  will  please  keep  careful  watch  on  her  and 
another  steamer,  called  the  Emma;  the  latter  will 
probably  attempt  to  escape  through  Wassaw. 

Three  deserters  from  Savannah,  yesterday,  say  that 
she  was  below  Fort  Jackson,  prepared  to  run  the 
blockade. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  236,  1862. 

Commander  REED  WERDEN,  United  States  Ship 
Conemaugh  : 

SIR  :  —  Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  this  order, 
you  will  please  proceed  to  Ossebaw  Sound,  and  assume 
charge  there  as  senior  officer,  on  Commander  Clary, 
of  the  Dawn,  being  relieved  by  Acting  Lieutenant 
Barnes. 

From  various  information,  confirmed  to-day  by  de 
serters  from  Savannah,  I  am  satisfied  that  the  Nash 
ville,  loaded  with  cotton,  is  at  this  moment  either  in 
the  Ogeechee  or  Vernon  river;  the  last  account  stating 
that  she  is  two  miles  below  Beulah,  aground.  She  is 
intending  to  run  the  blockade. 

Acting  Lieutenant  Barnes  will  give  you  all  the 
information  we  have  collected,  and  has  some  knowledge 
of  his  own  of  those  waters.  I  desire  that,  with  the 
Vixen  or  Dawn,  you  will  make  such  reconnoissances 
as  may  lead  to  the  capture  of  the  Nashville,  or  her 
destruction ;  or  at  least  you  will  dispose  of  your  force 
in  such  a  way  as  will  prevent  her  getting  to  sea 
through  Ossebaw  river. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  25th,  1862. 

Commander  D.  AMMEN,  United  States  Ship 
Sebago,  Wassaw : 

SIR:  —  On  receipt  of  this  you  will  please  dispatch 
the  Seneca  to  this  port,  which  I  purpose  sending 
home  in  tow  of  the  Augusta. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


Your  two  official  communications,  with  your  private 
note,  have  been  received,  and  I  have  given  them  earnest 
consideration. 

Your  reports  in  reference  to  the  condition  of  the 
Sebago  will  go  by  the  first  mail  to  the  Navy  De 
partment.  I  think  your  suggestions  very  valuable,  and 
they  have  my  approval.  Please  inform  me  if  your 
cabin,  in  reference  to  which  I  have  already  written  to 
the  Bureau,  can  be  altered  .at  once,  through  such 
means  as  the  station  affords,  in  order  to  give  it  proper 
ventilation. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  23d,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  M.  B.  WOOLSEY,  United 
States  Ship  Dale: 

SIR  :  —  In  sending  the  Para,  under  your  command, 
to  her  present  anchorage  in  this  harbor,  I  have  the 
following  objects  in  view : 

ist.  To  assist  the  Commanding  General  of  this 
Department,  to  whose  province  it  especially  pertains, 
in  carrying  out  certain  quarantine  regulations. 

2d.  The  sanitary  regulations,  the  appointment  of 
health  or  medical  officers  to  board  arriving  vessels, 
will  belong  to  the  army. 

3d.  The  Para  is  to  be  a  guard-ship,  to  compel, 
if  necessary,  all  vessels  to  come  to,  in  order  to  be 
boarded  by  the  health  officer. 

4th.  These  regulations,  and  others  to  be  estab 
lished  by  the  Commanding  General  and  myself,  have 


28O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

an  especial  reference  to  vessels  coming  from  the  South 
generally,  but  more  especially  from  Key  West,  where 
yellow  fever  of  a  malignant  type  is  now  prevailing. 

5th.  If  the  health  officer  should  be  off  his  station, 
every  vessel  must  be  detained  until  he  returns  to 
visit  her. 

6th.  The  boats  of  the  Para  are  not  to  board 
any  vessel  coming  in,  until  visited  by  the  health  boat; 
if  it  be  necessary  to  bring  her  to,  a  boat  may  be 
sent  for  this  purpose ;  but  no  one  from  your  vessel 
is  to  go  on  board,  or  receive  anything  from  her. 
You  will  please  see  that  this  order  is  scrupulously 
obeyed. 

7th.  All  regulations  issued  by  the  Commanding 
General  will  be  sent  to  you ;  and  such  as  he  has 
already  promulgated  are  herewith  enclosed. 

8th.  Communications  from  the  health  officer  must 
be  --made  in  writing,  or  be  delivered  by  him  or  his 
agents  from  a  boat.  There  must  be  no  communica 
tion  between  the  boarding  officers  and  the  guard-ship. 

9th,  and  lastly.  No  vessel  of  war  coming  from 
the  south  of  Cape  Carnaveral,  nor  the  navy  supply 
ships  from  the  Gulf,  can  be  permitted  to  pass  up 
until  they  have  been  visited  by  the  health  officer. 

All  the  vessels  of  this  squadron,  on  showing  their 
numbers,  and  coming  within  hail  of  the  guard-ship, 
and  reporting  that  no  infectious  or  contagious  disease 
exists  on  board  of  them,  will  be  allowed  to  pass  on ; 
but  all  others  must  anchor  and  be  first  visited  by 
the  health  officer. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  28 1 

(Unofficial.) 

Flag   Ship   Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  23d,  1862. 

Major  -  General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding 
Department  of  the  South : 

GENERAL:  —  I  herewith  enclose  a  copy  of  my 
orders  to  the  commander  of  the  Para,  now  anchored 
off  Fishing  Rip,  as  the  guard-ship,  to  carry  out  your 
views  in  reference  to  the  quarantine. 

I  wrote  them  in  great  haste ;  please  suggest  any 
alterations  or  additions  you  would  like  to  make.  We 
have  been  so  far  mercifully  spared,  ashore  and  afloat, 
in  reference  to  contagious  diseases  and  those  of  this 
region.  A  few  weeks  more  will  carry  us  through, 
and  I  think  we  cannot  do  too  much  to  ward  off 
such  an  evil.  Command  me,  therefore,  in  every  way  you 
may  desire. 

How  do  you  propose  to  send  the  health  or  medi 
cal  officers  down  ?  Can  I  help  you  by  having  some 
concerted  signal  from  the  Para  to  Hilton  Head? 
When  a  vessel  is  brought  to,  requiring  to  be  visited, 
the  least  delay  possible  will  be  the  best,  as  you  are 
aware. 

I  am  greatly  pressed  in  my  duties  by  the  con 
tinuous  breaking  down  of  the  steamers  of  the  squad 
ron,  while  attempts  are  increasing  to  run  the  blockade. 

I  have  information  from  various  quarters  to-day. 
Our  English  friends  at  Nassau  have  let  out  the  Oreto, 
armed,  under  Simms.  She  is  forelaying  the  California 
steamers. 

I   am,  General,  yours,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


282  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  25th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  the  the  Bienville,  Commander  Mullany,  cap 
tured  on  the  2  ist  inst.  the  schooner  Eliza,  of  Nassau, 
about  fifteen  miles  southeast  by  south  from  Cape  Ro 
man  light  She  was  heading  to  the  southward,  though 
professedly  bound  to  Baltimore.  The  Eliza  was  laden 
with  salt. 

Also,  that  on  the  23d  inst.  Commander  Mullany 
captured  the  schooner  Louisa,  about  fifteen  miles  south 
east  of  Cape  Roman.  Her  cargo  consisted  of  soap, 
tea,  salt,  medicines,  etc. 

Both  these  vessels  were  sent  for  adjudication  to 
Philadelphia. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  25th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  capture 
of  a  schooner  called  the  Fanny,  by  the  United  States 
ship  Keystone  State,  under  Commander  Le  Roy,  close 
in  with  the  land,  near  St.  Simon's. 

She  was  from  Nassau,  purporting  to  be  bound  for 
Baltimore,  with  a  cargo  of  salt.  The  captain  and  one 
of  the  crew  (all  of  her  crew  being  black),  were  sent  in 
the  prize  to  Philadelphia. 

I  beg  here  to  call   the  attention  of  the  Department 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  28$ 

to  the  master  of  this  prize.  His  name  is  William  Ryanr 
and  is,  so  Commander  Le  Roy  reports,  the  same  Wil 
liam  Ryan  who  was  captured  on  the  iQth  of  April 
last,  in  the  Wave,  a  rebel  schooner  out  of  Charleston, 

I  refer  the  Department  to  my  dispatch  of  the 
25th  of  June  last,  in  answer  to  a  communication  from 
this  person,  who  was  then  a  prisoner  in  Fort  Lafayette, 
The  first  use  he  makes  of  his  liberty  is  to  break  the 
blockade.  Such  men,  with  their  knowledge  of  the  coast,, 
are  too  dangerous  to  be  permitted  to  be  at  large. 

Enclosed  also  is  a  tabular  statement  of  the  vessels 
boarded  by  the  Keystone  State,  in  which  is  included 
the  above  prize. 

I  would  explain  to  the  Department  that  few  of 
these  statements  are  forwarded,  because  no  vessel  ever 
ventured  near  the  blockading  stations  excepting  such 
as  are  attempting  to  run  the  blockade,  and  these  are, 
if  possible,  not  only  boarded  but  seized. 

The  Keystone  State  is  now  on  a  cruise  along  the 
coast,  outside  of  the  usual  blockading  line,  and  of 
course  is  liable  to  fall  in  with  other  vessels. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  26th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR: — Since  my  last  dispatch  of  the  I5th  inst.j. 
referring  to  the  contrabands,  for  service  in  the  navy 
in  the  Pacific,  I  have  had  an  interview  with  Brigadier- 
General  Saxton,  and  regret  to  say  it  seems  impossible 
to  obtain  contrabands  who  are  willing  to  enlist. 


284  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

While  showing  a  full  sense  of  relief  at  the  change 
in  their  physical  and  mental  condition,  they  also 
evince  strong  local  attachments,  and  great  reluctance 
to  be  separated  from  their  families  and  relations. 

We  are  employing  many  with  advantage  in  the 
working  parties  and  boats  of  the  squadron,  particularly 
at  this  moment,  when  the  usual  sickly  season  is  upon 
us. 

I  had  about  ninety  contrabands  brought  from 
Georgetown  a  short  time  since,  and  placed  them  on 
the  Vermont,  for  the  above  mentioned  purposes ;  but 
the  senior  officer  reports  that  over  a  hundred  more 
have  come  in.  I  shall  ask  the  Commanding  General 
to  send  for  these;  it  is  inconvenient  to  provide  for 
them  in  such  localities,  consuming  as  they  do  more  or 
less  the  provisions  of  the  blockading  vessels. 

As  they  collect  here  I  shall  see  further  into  the 
probabilities  of  enlisting  a  number  for  the  Pacific. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  2;th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  The  enclosed  survey  will  inform  the  De 
partment  why  I  am  compelled  to  send  home  the 
Augusta  for  repairs;  she  goes  to  Philadelphia. 

She  has  been  a  most  useful  ship  on  this  station, 
and  commanded  by  an  officer  who  has  been  faithful 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  285 

The    Augusta   will    tow   home   the   Seneca,  for  rea 
sons   already   given   to   the    Department. 

I   think    the   Augusta    is    worthy   of   the    improve 
ments   recommended    in   the   survey. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  27th,  1862. 

Commander  E.  G.  PARROTT,  United  States 
Ship  Augusta : 

SIR:  —  The  Augusta,  under  your  command,  having 
been  surveyed,  and  requiring  repairs  beyond  the  capa 
bilities  of  our  machine  shop,  you  will,  as  soon  as  ready, 
proceed  with  her  to  Philadelphia,  and  report  to  Com 
modore  Pendergrast,  and  through  him  to  the  Honor 
able  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

I  take  this  occasion  to  express  my  very  sincere 
approbation  and  appreciation  of  the  services  rendered 
by  the  Augusta  on  this  station. 

If  I  am  not  mistaken,  no  vessel  has  seen  more 
outside  blockading  service,  and  been  less  in  port,  and 
whose  fires  have  been  so  seldom  drawn. 

You  have  always  been  ready  for  service,  and  effi 
cient  in  its  performance. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.   F.    Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


286  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

(Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  28th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  had  unpleasant  information  to  convey  to 
the  Department  this  morning, —  the  loss  of  that  splen 
did  ship  the  Adirondack.  This  evening  Captain  Hazard 
came  from  Charleston,  and  I  am  fairly  oppressed  by 
what  he  tells  me  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  blockade. 

While  he  bears  testimony  to  the  further  closing 
in  of  the  line  of  ships,  to  the  boldness  of  the  boats 
at  night,  going  in  sometimes  to  within  fifty  yards  of 
Fort  Moultrie,  and  to  the  ceaseless  vigilance  of  both 
officers  and  men,  he  admits  that  the  violations  have 
been  frequent;  and,  according  to  the  best  accounts, 
there  are  at  this  moment  no  less  than  eight  steamers, 
painted  lead  color,  in  the  harbor  of  Charleston. 

Though  my  force  has  been  kept  up  to  twelve 
vessels,  with  great  difficulty,  it  is  true,  and  which  I 
can  no  longer  continue  to  do,  I  have  been  very  appre 
hensive  that  some  vessels  would  get  in,  as  we  have 
had  thick  weather  and  much  rain ;  but  I  was  not  pre 
pared  for  such  a  result.  I  think  it  probable  that 
some  two  millions  sterling  of  arms  and  merchandise 
have  gone  in  the  last  ten  days.  The  Herald  has 
succeeded  again,  having  the  most  skillful  man  on  the 
coast  on  board  of  her,  Coxetter. 

I  feel  as  much  regret  to  convey  this  information 
as  the  Department  will  to  receive  it ;  but  I  have 
done  my  best,  the  officers  have  done  theirs ;  it  is  for 
the  Department  to  apply  the  remedy.  I  have  no 
more  ships  to  send  there.  Many  vessels  are  still  at 
Nassau,  coming  this  week.  My  best  vessel,  the  Bien- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DV PONT.  2&J 

ville,  must  come  in  for  coal ;  and  we  have  from  re 
liable  authority  what  I  have  always  apprehended,  that 
our  sailing  ships,  from  their  conspicuous  masts,  and 
want  of  steam  power,  are  much  more  favorable  to  the 
blockade  runners  than  to  ourselves. 

Enclosed  are  important  communications  from  Com 
manders  Steedman  and  Mullany;  and  memoranda  of 
information  given  by  a  Mr.  Sussen,  to  which  especial 
attention  is  called. 

As  I  desire  that  the  Department  should  have 
every  information,  I  have  directed  Captain  Hazard  to 
report  to  the  Honorable  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
in  person;  for  though  this  officer  has  not  been  very 
long  on  this  station,  he  has  been  the  senior  officer 
there  during  this  last  pressure  on  the  blockade. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  I  am  grieved  to  add  that  up  to  this  hour 
neither  the  Norwich  nor  Flambeau  has  appeared.  A 
more  discouraging  evidence  of  the  inability  of  the  navy 
yard  to  repair  vessels  in  an  ordinary  time  I  have  never 
known.  There  is  no  telling  how  different  the  result 
might  have  been  if  these  two  vessels  had  been  off 
Charleston  during  the  last  ten  days.  The  surveying 
officers  stated  three  weeks  would  be  required  to  re 
pair;  those  of  the  yard  said  four  weeks;  it  is  now 
six  since  they  left  Port  Royal. 

S.  F.  D.  P, 

Rear  Admiral. 


288  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  November  i3th,  1862. 

To  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  gunboat 
nearest  to  the  point  indicated : 

SIR  :  —  General  Saxton  is  sending  the  steamers  Dar 
lington     and     Ben    Deford    to    a     place     near     Darien, 
Georgia,  to   procure   lumber,  which    is   to   be  had  there. 
You   will   give   such  cover   to  these   vessels  as  may 
be   necessary   to   protect   them. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  28th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  M.  B.  WOOLSEY,  United  States 
Ship  Dale : 

SIR:  —  My  order  in  reference  to  the  non-intercourse 
between  the  health -boat  and  the  guard-ship,  so  far  as 
applied  to  the  health  officer,  or  any  other  individuals 
that  it  may  be  agreeable  for  you  to  see,  is  'modified. 
My  order  was  intended  to  apply  more  particularly 
to  vessels  placed  in  quarantine,  rather  than  to  the 
health -boat. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  289 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  August  28th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commander  A.  C.  RHIND,  United  States 
Ship  Seneca: 

SIR  :  —  The  Seneca  needing  repairs  which  cannot 
be  made  at  Port  Royal,  you  will  proceed  north,  towed 
by  the  Augusta. 

The  Augusta  proceeds  to  Philadelphia;  but  if,  on 
arriving  off  the  capes  of  the  Delaware,  you  can  with 
safety  continue  to  New  York,  do  so ;  otherwise  you 
will  go  into  Philadelphia. 

On  your  arrival  at  either  city  you  will  report  your 
self  to  the  commandant  of  the  station,  and  through 
him  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

I  cannot  better  convey  my  appreciation-  of  your 
services  on  this  station,  than  to  express  the  desire 
that  you  may  be  continued  in  the  Seneca,  and  return 
to  this  squadron. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  28th,  1862. 

Captain  S.  F.  HAZARD,  United  States  Navy, 
Port  Royal,  S.  C. : 

SIR:  —  In  my  previous  order  detaching  you,  for 
the  reasons  stated  therein,  from  the  James  Adger,  you 
were  directed  to  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
by  letter. 

Your  recent  experience  off  Charleston,  and  the  very 
intelligent  manner  in  which  you  have  explained  the 

19 


290  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

difficulties  of  maintaining  the  blockade  of  the  port,  in 
duce  me  to  direct  you  that  after  reporting  to  the 
commander  of  the  naval  station  at  Philadelphia,  you 
will  proceed  to  Washington  and  report  to  the  Hon 
orable  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  in  person. 

You  will  please  give  to  the  Department  all  the 
information  which  your  recent  practical  (knowledge  so 
well  enables  you  to  do,  on  the  subject  above  referred 
to. 

You  will  report  to  Commander  Parrott,  of  the 
Augusta,  for  passage  to  Philadelphia. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  August  28th,  1862. 

Captain  J.  F.  GREEN,  United  States  Ship 
Canandaigua : 

SIR:  —  The  painful  intelligence  which  has  just 
reached  me  of  the  loss  of  the  United  States  ship 
Adirondack,  compels  me  to  suspend  the  repairs  con 
templated  on  the  Canandaigua,  and  to  urge  the  com 
pletion  of  such  as  are  absolutely  necessary  to  get  your 
ship  to  sea  at  the  earliest  possible  time. 

You  will  then  proceed  with  all  dispatch  to  Man- 
of-war  Key,  east  point  of  Abaco,  where  the  Adiron 
dack  was  wrecked,  and  render  all  the  assistance  in 
your  power  to  Captain  Gansevoort  in  saving  persons 
and  public  property. 

Captain  Gansevoort  and  yourself,  from  your  well 
known  experience,  will  adopt  all  the  necessary  meas- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


ures  to  secure  through  the  United  States  Consul  at 
Nassau,  the  recovery  of  the  machinery  and  armament 
of  the  vessel.  I  cannot  give  you  more  specific  in 
structions. 

The  officers  and  crew  of  the  Adirondack  you  will 
bring  to  this  port,  unless  some  favorable  opportunity 
should  occur  of  sending  them  to  a  Northern  port  by 
steamer. 

You  will  find  enclosed  certain  papers,  which  may 
be  of  service  to  your  present  duties. 

You  are  aware  that  the  Oreto,  armed  privateer,  or 
pirate,  under  ex  -  Lieutenant  Maffitt,  has  been  permitted 
to  leave  Nassau,  and  when  last  heard  from  was  at 
Diana  Key,  near  Cardenas,  coast  of  Cuba;  said  to  be 
armed  with  six  rifle  guns,  but  with  a  short  crew.  In 
one  of  the  enclosed  papers  is  a  description  of  this 
vessel. 

I  have  also  been  informed  that  the  Laird  gun 
boat,  or  as  called  in  Liverpool,  "  290,"  under  the  command 
of  Bullock,  formerly  in  the  United  States  navy,  has 
arrived  at  Nassau,  and  may  possibly  now  be  on  the 
ocean. 

You  will  please  keep  a  lookout  for  these  vessels 
on  your  way,  going  and  coming,  and  any  others  in 
tending  to  run  the  blockade. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  28th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  H.  SPOTTS,  United  States  Ship 
Magnolia,  Port  Royal  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  to  thank  you  for  the  judgment  and 
dispatch  with  which  you  brought  me  information  of 
the  unfortunate  condition  of  the  Adirondack. 

The  Canandaigua,  now  pressing  repairs  on  her 
machinery,  will  sail  in  the  morning  to  the  relief  of 
the  Adirondack. 

As  soon  as  coaled  and  ready,  you  will  proceed  to 
execute  such  portions  of  Commander  Lardner's  orders 
as  you  have  not  yet  fulfilled. 

On  your  way  I  have  to  request  that  after  getting 
to  sea,  you  will  run  down  the  coast,  keeping  say 
fifteen  miles  distant  from  it,  for  the  purpose  of  inter 
cepting  the  Keystone  State,  Commander  Le  Roy,  who 
is  cruising  off  the  coast  of  Georgia,  on  the  off  shore 
line  of  the  blockade.  Should  you  meet  him,  you  will 
please  inform  Commander  Le  Roy  that  I  desire  his 
immediate  return  to  Port  Royal.' 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  August  28th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR:  —  It  is  with  the  most  painful  feelings  I  have 
to  inform  the  Department  of  the  total  loss  of  the 
splendid  steamer  Adirondack,  on  the  northeast  point 
of  Little  Bahama  Bank,  Man-of-war  Key. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  293 

The  intelligence  was  received  this  morning  by  the 
Magnolia,  Lieutenant  Commanding  J.  H.  Spotts,  who  had 
fallen  in  with  the  Adirondack  after  she  was  wrecked. 

She  ran  on  shore  about  half  past  three  in  the 
morning  of  the  25th  of  August;  and  Captain  Ganse 
voort,  in  a  few  hurried  lines  (a  copy  of  which  is 
enclosed),  expresses  his  fears  that  the  ship  is  a  total 
loss,  though  he  hopes  to  save  most  of  her  guns. 

In  addition  to  this  painful  news,  I  have  informa 
tion  that  the  Oreto,  commanded  by  Maffitt,  is  now  on 
a  piratical  cruise,  and  aiming  to  intercept  the  United 
States  mail  steamer  Columbia,  due  at  Havana  on  the 
1st  of  September.  By  the  latest  advices  she  was  at 
Diana  Key,  off  Cardenas,  in  Cuban  waters;  but  the 
captain -general  of  Cuba  had  sent  orders  that  she 
should  leave  that  position. 

I  also  understand  that  the  Laird  gunboat,  or  "  290," 
commanded  by  Bullock,  has  also  arrived  at  Nassau. 

From  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Commanding  Spotts, 
a  copy  of  which  is  enclosed,  it  is  evident  that  Cap 
tain  Gansevoort  entertains  some  apprehensions  that  the 
rebel  gunboats  Oreto  and  "  290,"  hearing  of  his  posi 
tion,  may  take  advantage  of  it  and  make  them  all 
prisoners. 

It  is  true  that  the  Queen's  proclamation  of  neu 
trality  has  been  constantly  violated  in  the  colonies  of 
the  Bahamas ;  the  last  and  most  alarming  instance 
being  the  sham  trial  of  the  Oreto,  which  has  been 
permitted  to  sail  from  the  port  of  Nassau,  with  a 
schooner  almost  in  tow,  carrying  her  armament,  and 
is  now  a  pirate  on  the  ocean. 

Yet  I  can  scarcely  bring  myself  to  believe  that 
such  a  gross  violation  of  it  as  apprehended  by  Captain 
Gansevoort  would  be  allowed  by  the  British  Govern- 


294  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

ment,  but,     on    the     contrary,    that    her   cruisers    would 
render   every  assistance. 

In  this  crisis  I  am  myself  almost  powerless.  The 
Keystone  State  is,  as  I  have  informed  the  Department, 
on  an  outside  cruise,  and  at  this  moment,  when  I  am 
most  anxious  to  send  out  for  her,  and  dispatch  her  to 
the  assistance  of  the  Adirondack,  I  have  not  a  vessel 
for  the  purpose.  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that 
the  Department  should  put  at  my  command  a  fast 
steamer  of  light  draft,  such  as  the  Ben  Deford,  to  be 
used  solely  as  a  dispatch  vessel,  by  which  I  can  at  any 
moment  communicate  with  any  station  of  my  squadron. 

The  Canandaigua  is  here  undergoing  some  repairs 
to  her  engine,  but  I  shall  hurry  her  off  in  the  morn 
ing,  and  the  Magnolia  also,  as  soon  as  I  can  supply 
her  with  fifty  tons  of  coal. 

The  Department  is  aware  that  the  Oreto  is  not 
at  this  moment  within  the  limits  of  my  station,  and  I 
am  quite  sure  Commodore  Lardner  will  look  out  for 
her,  as  the  enclosed  papers  wHl  show. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  Sept  2d,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  regret  to  report  the  escape  of  a  steamer 
from  Charleston,  on  the  night  of  the  28th  ult.,  through 
Maffitt's  channel. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  Commander 
Mullany,  of  the  Bienville,  sent  his  launch  to  guard 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


the  entrance  of  that  channel,  in  charge  of  Acting- 
Master  Rodgers,  who  anchored  his  boat  only  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile  east  -  south  -  east  from  Fort  Moul- 
trie. 

Near  ten  o'clock  he  saw  a  steam  propeller  pass 
ing  outward,  close  along  the  beach,  moving  silently 
and  swiftly. 

He  immediately  fired  a  rocket  and  burned  a  blue 
light,  the  signals  agreed  upon,  and  the  Bienville  at 
once  slipped  her  cable,  alarmed  the  rest  of  the  fleet, 
and  gave  chase,  but  was  unable  to  see  anything  of 
the  escaping  vessel. 

Shortly  afterwards  guns  were  fired  from  the 
America,  which,  with  the  Flag,  guards  the  north  -  east 
entrance  to  Maffitt's  channel  ;  but  on  the  Bienville 
reaching  them,  the  steamer  had  succeeded  in  escaping 
in  the  darkness. 

Acting  -Master  Rodgers,  in  charge  of  the  launch, 
reports  that  though  the  steamer  passed  within  three 
hundred  yards  of  him,  yet  when  the  land  behind  was 
higher  than  the  hull,  he  could  see  nothing  of  her; 
and  it  was  only  when  she  passed  a  low  opening  in 
the  beach  that  she  was  in  sight  at  all. 

I  refer  to  this  particularly,  that  the  Department 
may  be  apprised  of  one  of  the  great  difficulties  of 
the  blockade  of  this  port  of  Charleston. 

The  above  is  the  substance  of  detailed  reports 
from  Commander  Mullany  and  Acting  -  Master  Rodgers  ; 
presuming  that  the  Department  would  prefer  to  have 
a  condensed  statement,  rather  than  copies  of  the  re 
ports  themselves. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear   Admiral. 


296  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  4th,  1862. 

Captain  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Steamer  Pawnee, 
Senior  Officer,  Stono : 

SIR:  —  On  the  arrival  of  the  Paul  Jones,  Command 
er  Steedman,  at  Stono,  you  will  transfer  to  that  offi 
cer  the  charge  of  those  waters,  giving  such  informa 
tion  as  your  long  and  valuable  experience  there  will 
enable  you  to  furnish. 

You  will  avail  yourself  of  the  most  favorable 
condition  of  the  tides  to  cross  the  Stono  bar,  and 
repair  to  Port  Royal  with  the  Pawnee. 

If  the  Ottawa  can  find  her  own  way  home  with 
out  a  tow,  you  can  dispatch  her  at  once  to  New 
York;  if  not  fit  to  do  so,  I  will  procure  a  steamer 
to  take  her  North  as  soon  as  possible.  In  the  mean 
time  she  can  make  all  preparations. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  4th,  1862. 

Commander  C.  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Ship 
Paul  Jones,  off  Charleston  : 

SIR  :  —  On  receipt  of  this  order  you  vyill  please 
proceed  to  Stono  Inlet,  and  relieve  Captain  P.  Drayton, 
in  charge  of  that  important  station,  receiving  from  him 
such  information  as  his  experience  will  enable  him  to 
give. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  withdraw  you  from  the 
charge  of  the  Brunswick  waters,  as  had  been  arranged, 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  297 

but  it  is  important  that  the  Pawnee  should  be  enabled 
to  get  out  of  Stono  by  the  pending  spring  tides.  Orders 
will  be  dispatched  to  the  Conemaugh  to  relieve  you 
as  soon  as  the  Fernandina  reaches  Ossebaw. 

Captain  Drayton  will  furnish  you  with  coal,  to 
enable  you  to  wait  for  your  relief,  and  reach  this  port 
for  supplies  and  repairs  before  going  to  St.  Simon's. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  Sept.  4th,  1862. 

Captain  S.  W.  GODON,  United  States  Ship 
Powhatan : 

SIR:  —  So  soon  as  you  are  ready,  you  will  please 
proceed  with  the  Powhatan,  under  your  command,  off 
Charleston,  and  take  charge  of  the  blockade  of  that 
port,  receiving  from  the  senior  officer,  whom  you  will 
relieve,  such  information  as  he  may  have  to  give. 

Your  own  experience  in  your  previous  command 
off  that  station  renders  it  unnecessary  to  give  you  very 
minute  instructions. 

The  efforts  to  run  the  blockade,  I  regret  to 
say,  are  increasing,  with  new  and  faster  vessels,  and 
within  a  short  time  with  some  success.  I  recommend 
your  doing  all  in  your  power  to  check  them,  and  I 
will  increase  your  force  as  rapidly  as  I  can. 

You  will  please  exercise  your  best  judgment  in 
permitting  vessels  to  come  to  Port  Royal  for  coal, 
provisions,  or  repairs. 


298  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

I  am  aware  that  this  blockading  duty  is  very 
exhausting  and  tedious,  but  I  depend  upon  the  zeal  of 
the  officers  to  endure  its  hardships  with  their  accus 
tomed  energy. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  sth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  The  iron-clads  or  rams  built  at  Charleston 
have  been  described  to  me,  by  intelligent  persons  who 
have  seen  them,  as  well  protected  by  their  armor,  but 
as  not  formidable  for  offensive  operations  against  our 
vessels,  in  consequence  of  their  deficiency  in  steam 
power,  it  having  been  intended  to  place  in  them  en 
gines  taken  from  old  steamers  belonging  to  South 
Carolina. 

If  it  be  true  that  English  steam  engines  have  been 
provided  for  them,  as  reported  to  me  by  the  Depart 
ment,  it  becomes  my  duty  to  urge  upon  it  the  neces 
sity  of  sending  some  iron-clad  vessels  of  our  own,  to 
render  our  position  off  Charleston  tenable. 

Vessels  even  imperfectly  covered  with  armor,  emerg 
ing  from  the  protection  of  forts,  and  always  provided 
with  a  place  of  refuge,  would  be  comparatively  secure, 
while  they  might  do  great  harm  to  wooden  ships, 
especially  of  the  light  class  which  forms  the  chief 
material  of  this  squadron.  If  by  any  possibility  the 
blockading  force  off  Charleston  could  be  destroyed,  or 
compelled  to  retire,  it  would  produce  a  moral  im- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DUPON7.  299 

pression  to  our  disadvantage  even    more   disastrous  than 
the   actual    loss   itself.      If    it   be   possible   to   send    the 
Ironsides    to   take    up    a    position  off   that   harbor,  the 
efforts  of  the   enemy   would    be   completely  frustrated. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral.' 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  sth,  1862. 

Major-General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding 
Department  of  the  South  : 

GENERAL  :  —  I  have  been  very  much  gratified  by 
the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  this  date,  re 
ferring  to  our  relations,  official  and  social,  since  you 
assumed  the  command  of  the  Department  of  the  South. 

You  also  kindly  allude  to  the  courtesy  you  have 
received  from  the  officers  of  my  command.  This  I 
am  sure  would,  under  our  naval  discipline  and  edu 
cation,  have  been  awarded  to  any  officer  holding  your 
high  position,  irrespective  of  circumstances.  But,  Gene 
ral,  if  this  spirit  of  courtesy  has  been  so  sufficiently 
marked  as  to  draw  your  especial  notice,  it  is  because 
you  have  elicited  it  by  the  most  frank,  manly,  and 
generous  appreciation  of  all  the  co-operations  and  aids 
which  this  squadron  has  had  occasion  to  give  to  the 
army, —  limited  as  our  opportunities  for  such  co-operation 
have  been, — as  well  as  by  the  great  kindness  and 
cordiality  which  has  always  been  shown  in  your  re 
ception  of  the  officers  of  the  navy,  whether  on  or 
off  duty. 

I  thank  you  for  this  acknowledgment,  the  more 
so  that  it  has  not  always  been  a  characteristic  else 
where  of  the  joint  operations  of  the  two  services. 


3OO  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Wishing   you   a   safe    passage,   and    a   sphere    com 
mensurate   with   your  fearless   and   patriotic    devotion   in 
this    contest,  I    have  the   honor   to    be,    General, 
Very  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  5th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  The  Canandaigua  has  just  arrived,  bringing 
the  officers  and  crew  of  the  Adirondack,  except  five, 
who  deserted  to  the  wreckers. 

The  mail  is  about  closing,  and  I  have  only  time 
to  state  that  at  night,  after  Captain  Gansevoort  had 
landed  his  men,  the  wreckers,  with  a  spirit  totally  at 
variance  with  their  ordinary  conduct,  destroyed  the 
vessel  by  fire. 

Wreckers  usually  strive  to  save  property,  and 
their  action  in  this  case  proves  what  has  been  ascer 
tained  from  other  sources,  viz.,  that  the  fishermen, 
light-house  keepers,  and  wreckers  on  the  Bahamas,  are 
in  some  way  in  the  employ  of  the  rebels. 

Captain  Gansevoort  destroyed  all  his  large  guns 
except  the  eleven- inch,  which  were  thrown  overboard 
4nd  buoyed.  He  saved  his  boat,  howitzers,  some  am 
munition,  and  provisions. 

I  shall  send  a  detailed  report  in  writing  from 
him  by  the  next  mail. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  30! 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  7th,  1862. 

Captain  G.  GANSEVOORT,  United  States  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  have  received  your  report  giving  in  detail 
the  circumstances  attending  the  loss  of  the  Adirondack, 
on  Man-of-war  Key,  of  the  Little  Bahama  Bank. 

It  is  marked  by  great  clearness  and  frankness  of 
statement.  I  have  also  gone  over  the  charts  with 
Acting  Lieutenant  James  Parker,  the  officer  who  was 
charged  with  the  navigation  of  the  ship,  and  have  been 
equally  struck  with  his  scrupulous  candor  in  reference  ta 
his  observations,  courses  steered,  and  general  statements. 

Without  desiring  to  anticipate  any  judgment  that  a 
a  court  of  inquiry,  which  you  have  so  promptly  asked  for, 
might  give  on  a  more  thorough  examination,  I  deem  it 
my  duty  to  you,  and  but  an  act  of  simple  justice  as 
your  immediate  commanding  officer,  to  state  that  I  can 
discover  no  want  of  vigilance  on  your  part.  On  the 
contrary,  you  have  shown  all  reasonable  caution  by 
twice  adopting  a  course  calculated  to  carry  you  further 
off  the  land  than  the  one  proposed. 

After  the  sad  catastrophe  occurred,  you  did  all 
that  I  fully  looked  for  from  the  energy  and  manli 
ness  of  your  character,  and  your  skill  as  a  seaman. 

Your  report  to  me,  that  of  Lieutenant  Parker  to 
you,  and  your  application  to  the  Department  for  a 
court  of  inquiry  on  the  loss  of  the  Adirondack,  will 
all  go  forward  to  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
by  the  United  States  ship  Massachusetts,  Commander 
Cooper,  who  wilt  receive  you  and  such  of  your  crew 
and  officers  as  I  do  not  retain  on  the  station,  for  a 
passage  to  New  York. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.   Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


3O2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  Sept.  8th,  1862. 

Captain  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States 
Ship   Pawnee: 

SIR: — The  number  of  vessels  belonging  to  this 
squadron  now  at  the  North  for  repairs,  makes  it  a 
fitting  occasion  to  suggest  such  improvements  in  their 
armament  as  our  last  year's  operations  and  experience 
may  indicate. 

The  Navy  Department  and  Ordnance  Bureau  are 
much  alive  to  the  introduction  of  such  improvements, 
but  are  greatly  pressed  with  the  immense  labors  de 
volving  upon  them.  It  has  occurred  to  me  that  both 
would  be  gratified  to  be  informed  of  our  views  and 
wants;  and  I  desire  to  avail  myself  of  your  knowl 
edge  of  ordnance  and  gunnery,  and  of  your  large 
experience  of  the  nature  of  this  coast,  and  the  char 
acter  of  the  service  in  these  waters,  to  convey  to  the 
Bureau  what  changes  may  be  desirable. 

I  will  not  go  into  any  minute  details,  but, 
among  other  items,  I  desire  you  to  consult  with 
Captain  Dahlgren,  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Ord 
nance,  in  reference  to  the  armament  of  what  we  have 
termed  the  regular  gunboats. 

The  eleven -inch  gun  is  a  favorite  with  me;  but 
I  am  aware  that  on  several  occasions,  some  of  them 
within  your  own  immediate  experience,  a  longer- range 
gun  would  have  been  desirable.  The  two  hundred 
pounder  rifle,  on  some  of  these  boats  at  least,  may  be 
an  advantageous  change. 

The  armament  of  the  Augusta,  at  the  Philadelphia 
Navy  Yard,  may  be  improved.  I  regretted  to  see  the 
Powhatan  come  out  with  only  a  one  -  hundred  pounder 
rifle  on  her  immense  forecastle. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  303 

In  reference  to  the  carrying  on  what  may  be 
termed  the  work  of  the  squadron,  that  is,  the  furnish 
ing  the  vessels  coming  in  here  for  coal  and  supplies, 
in  the  shortest  possible  space  of  time,  you  are  aware 
of  the  importance  of  tugs,  and  how  invaluable  they 
have  been  to  us.  One  has  given  out,  and  is  a  total 
loss,  within  a  few  days,  in  consequence  of  not  being 
coppered;  the  other  must  soon  follow. 

Please  urge  upon  the  Honorable  Secretary,  or  Mr. 
Fox,  the  Assistant  Secretary,  the  necessity  of  sending 
out  two  at  once,  with  side  -  wheels,  spacious  decks, 
and  coppered. 

The  importance  of  having  all  vessels  to  burn  coal, 
and  not  wood,  in  their  galleys,  also  mention  to  the 
Construction  and  Equipment  Bureau;  and  all  should 
have  fresh  -  water  condensers. 

You  will  leave  the  Pawnee,  for  the  moment,  in 
charge  of  her  Lieutenant  Commander,  and  take  pass 
age,  in  the  Massachusetts,  for  New  York ;  reporting 
yourself  to  the  Honorable  Secretary  in  person. 

I  am  the  more  pleased  at  sending  you  on  this 
important  duty,  as  it  will  give  you  a  couple  of  weeks 
of  relaxation  from  the  arduous  services  you  have 
been  performing  on  this  station,  in  localities  severely 
trying  to  the  health,  and  under  responsibilities  of  a 
very  grave  character.  The  effects  of  the  former  are 
plainly  visible  upon  you,  and  the  latter,  though  very 
wearing  too,  you  have  met  with  your  accustomed  spirit 
and  moral  courage. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


304  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

P.  S. —  I  omitted  to  say  above  that  you  will 
apply  to  the  Honorable  Secretary  to  forward  your  re 
turn  in  two  weeks  from  the  time  of  your  arrival  in 
Washington. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  In  my  communication  of  the  5th  inst.  I  in 
formed  the  Department  of  the  return  to  this  port  of 
the  Canandaigua,  with  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
Adirondack. 

I  have  now  the  honor  to  enclose  to  the  Depart 
ment  Captain  Gansevoort's  detailed  report  of  the  loss 
of  his  ship,  with  a  copy  of  that  of  the  officer  in 
charge  of  the  chronometers,  who  kept  the  reckoning ; 
also  a  copy  of  my  letter  acknowledging  Captain  Ganse 
voort's  report  to  me,  and  an  application  from  Cap 
tain  Gansevoort  for  a  court  of  inquiry. 

These  papers  contain  all  the  material  facts  in  the 
case  for  the  consideration  of  the  Department. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT. 


305 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  One  of  those  circumstances  which  may  be 
magnified  and  made  the  cause  of  complaint,  occurred 
on  the  6th  inst,  and  I  deem  it  as  well  to  inform  the 
Department  of  it. 

An  English  barque  was  seized  by  the  boats  of 
the  Shepherd  Knapp,  off  St.  Helena  Sound,  having  at 
tempted  to  run  the  blockade,  and  sent  to  Port  Royal. 
On  approaching  the  guard-ship  Dale,  covering  the 
health  officer's  station,  some  two  miles  seaward  from 
this  anchorage,  it  was  discovered  she  had  an  Ameri 
can  flag  hoisted  over  the  English.  The  Dale  was 
immediately  telegraphed  to  have  the  American  ensign 
hauled  down,  and  the  ship  come  up  under  British 
colors. 

I  immediately  called  upon  the  prize  officer  to 
explain  his  action  in  the  matter ;  his  reply  is  here 
with  enclosed.  The  acting  volunteer  lieutenant  com 
manding  the  Shepherd  Knapp  is  a  zealous  officer,  but 
wholly  inexperienced  in  such  matters,  and  erred  no 
doubt  from  ignorance.  I  shall  address  him  immedi 
ately  on  the  subject,  and  hold  him  to  a  strict  ac 
countability. 

I  regret  the  circumstance,  but  the  error  was  im 
mediately  repaired,  as  the  Department  will  see.  The 
captain  of  the  English  bark  seems  a  Frenchman,  and 
apparently  ugly  in  his  temper;  and  will  doubtless 
make  all  the  trouble  he  can  in  the  matter. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to  ask  the 
Department  what  its  views  are  in  reference  to  this 
matter.  No  general  order  has  been  received  by  me 


306  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

on  the  subject.  The  American  flag  has  generally  been 
hoisted.  I  think  the  flag  of  the  country  should  be 
retained  until  the  ship  be  tried  and  condemned, — 
and  will  give  the  requisite  order;  but  I  should  be 
pleased  to  know  whether  this  is  in  accordance  with 
the  Department's  wishes. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  9th,  1862. 

Captain  J.  F.  GREEN,  United  States  Ship 
Canandaigua  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  received  your  communication  of  the 
5th  inst.,  detailing  the  execution  of  my  orders  to  pro 
ceed  to  the  Bahamas,  and  relieve  in  every  way  in 
your  power  the  crew  and  officers  of  the  Adirondack, 
Captain  Gansevoort,  wrecked  on  Man-of-war  Key. 

You  have  performed  this  duty  with  judgment  and 
success,  in  a  very  expeditious  manner,  and  entirely  to 
my  satisfaction. 

Understanding  you  have  made  the  repairs  to  your 
engine,  and  are  ready  for  sea,  I  have  to  direct  that 
you  will  proceed  off  Charleston  with  the  Canandaigua, 
under  your  command,  and  report  to  Captain  Godon, 
of  the  Powhatan,  senior  officer  in  charge  of  the 
blockade  of  that  port,  for  duty. 

I  need  hardly  mention  to  an  officer  of  your  ex 
perience  that  the  blockade  of  this  port  is,  at  this 
moment,  the  most  important  business  of  this  squadron, 
and  one  in  which  the  reputation  of  the  officers  is 
the  most  involved. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  307 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  gth,  1862. 

Hon.  JOHN  CADWALADER,  United  States  District  Judge, 
Philadelphia : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  United 
States  ship  Shepherd  Knapp,  Acting  Volunteer  Lieu 
tenant  H.  St.  C.  Eytinge  commanding,  captured  the 
barque  Fanny  Laurie,  under  English  colors,  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th  inst.,  while  attempting  to  enter 
South  Edisto. 

She  purported  to  be  from  Nassau,  and  bound  to 
Quebec;  among  her  papers,  however,  is  a  letter  to  a 
house  in  Charleston.  As  Captain  Lamier  (a  French 
man,  I  believe)  admits  that  he  was  attempting  to  run 
the  blockade,  I  send  her  to  Philadelphia  for  adjudica 
tion,  in  charge  of  Acting  Master  J.  Lindsey,  who  will 
deliver  to  you  the  accompanying  papers  found  on 
board. 

Acting  Master's  Mate  G.  P.  St.  John,  of  the  Shep 
herd  Knapp,  was  present  at  the  capture,  and  can  give 
all  the  necessary  evidence. 

The  master,  Captain  Lamier,  the  mate,  and  one  of 
the  crew  go  in  the  prize;  the  rest  of  the  crew,  viz., 
Wm.  Casey,  C.  Morie,  Chas.  Hale,  Chas.  Johnson,  Jas. 
Lee,  Wm.  Smith,  Chas.  A.  Green,  Thos.  Wright,  Walter 
Sands,  and  two  persons  who  were  represented  to  be 
passengers,  viz.,  John  Edington  and  Jas.  H.  McKenzie, 
were  sent  to  New  York  by  the  United  States  steamer 
Massachusetts. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

*S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


308  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  isth,  1862. 

Commander  C.  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Ship 
Paul  Jones: 

SIR:  —  Information  just  received  from  the  St.  John's 
river,  Florida,  makes  it  evident  that  there  is  a  desire 
to  drive  our  small  gunboats  from  it,  on  the  part  of 
the  Florida  authorities,  aided  by  the  military  and 
guerrillas. 

It  is  reported  that  Governor  Milton  came  down, 
a  few  days  ago,  from  Tallahassee,  and  declared  that  the 
gunboats  must  be  taken ;  and  if  taken,  the  officers 
and  crews  were  to  be  hung  as  kidnappers. 

Since  the  withdrawal  of  our  troops  from  Jackson 
ville,  as  you  are  aware,  we  have  been  simply  main 
taining  an  inside  blockade  of  the  river  by  a  very 
small  force  near  its  mouth.  I  had  it  intimated  in 
various  ways  to  the  citizens  and  authorities  of  Jack 
sonville  that  if  the  gunboats  were  molested  from  the 
banks  of  the  river,  or  Union  people  maltreated  and  their 
property  destroyed,  I  would  adopt  retaliatory  meas 
ures  by  destroying  Jacksonville,  etc. 

The  report  of  the  attack  upon  the  Uncas  and 
Patroon,  from  St.  John's  Bluff,  you  have  read;  it  con 
veys  the  nature  of  the  warfare,  and  is  the  last  news 
we  have  from  that  point. 

I  have  now  to  direct  that  you  will  proceed  with 
the  Paul  Jones,  under  your  command,  to  the  St.  John's 
river;  taking  with  you,  or  to  follow  you,  the  Cimerone, 
Commander  Woodhull,  the  E.  B.  Hale,  Lieutenant  Com 
manding  Snell,  and  the  Uncas,  Acting  Master  Crane. 
The  Patroon  you  will  find  in  the  river. 

Please  make  a  thorough  reconnoissance  of  the 
river,  as  far  as  you  deem  it  advisable  and  of  service; 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  309 

going  to  Jacksonville  and  ascertaining,  by  a  flag  of 
truce,  what  is  meant  by  this  attack  upon  our  boats; 
and  warning  responsible  persons  of  the  consequences. 
Destroy  all  the  works  on  the  banks  which  might 
be  used  or  occupied  by  the  rebels  at  any  future  time 
against  us. 

You  are  aware  of  the  law  of  Congress  in  refer 
ence  to  contrabands,  —  to  return  none,  by  whomsoever 
claimed,  but  make  a  proper  entry  in  the  log-book  of 
the  name  of  the  fugitive,  and  owner  or  claimant. 

As  you  are  aware,  I  have  every  confidence  in 
your  zeal  and  judgment;  your  force  is  very  strong 
in  one  sense,  but  not  of  that  kind  to  prevent  great 
annoyance  by  musketry  from  the  banks  of  the  river; 
and  I  rely  upon  your  discretion  to  save  your  crews 
as  much  as  possible  from  this,  consistently  with  the 
execution  of  your  orders. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  i6th,  1862. 

Commander  A.  S.  BALDWIN,  United  States  Ship 
James  Adger : 

SIR  :  —  I  had  hoped  that  the  James  Adger  might 
have  been  rendered  available  for  a  few  weeks  further 
blockading  service  off  Charleston ;  but  as  she  is  rep 
resented  to  be  so  greatly  in  need  of  repairs,  I  have 
to  direct  her  immediate  return  to  the  North.  You 
will  therefore  proceed  in  her  to  Baltimore,  where  a 
new  steam  drum  has  been  built  for  her  by  order  of 
the  Navy  Department. 


3 1 0  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Upon  your  arrival,  you  will  report  to  the  senior 
naval  officer  in  that  station,  and  through  him  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  iTth,  1862. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  J.  F.  NICKELS,  United  States  % 

Ship  Onward: 

SIR: — Having  returned  from  the  inspection  of  the 
Onward,  under  your  command,  I  consider  it  my  duty 
to  say  that  I  have  been  gratified  by  the  cleanliness, 
good  order,  and  excellent  arrangements  of  your  ship, 
the  fine  appearance  of  your  crew,  and  the  general  evi 
dence  of  proper  supervision. 

I  think  it  also  right  to  add  that  you  have  always 
shown  energy  and  zeal  in  the  execution  of  my  orders. 

Wishing  you  a  quick  run  to  New  York,  I  am, 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  i8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  that  the  United  States  barque  Braziliera,  Acting 
Master  Commanding  W.  T.  Gillespie,  captured  the 
schooner  Defiance,  of  Nassau,  in  Sapelo  Sound,  at 
tempting  to  run  the  blockade,  on  the  /th  inst. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  31 1 

Her  cargo  consists  of  salt,  kerosene *oil,  soap,  cas- 
carilla  bark,  etc.,  etc.  She  also  had  in  her  cargo  about 
ninety-six  boxes  containing  cases  of  gin,  which  Acting 
Master  Gillespie,  for  the  safety  of  the  schooner  on  her 
passage  North,  took  out  of  the  vessel,  and  placed  in 
the  spirit  room  of  the  Braziliera.  It  will  be  sent  to 
Philadelphia  by  the  first  opportunity. 

The  prize  schooner,  needing  repairs,  came  into  this 
port,  and  will  proceed  to-morrow  to  Philadelphia  for 
adjudication. 

She  is  in  charge  of  Acting  Master  R.  F.  Cook, 
of  the  Braziliera. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.   F.   Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  Enclosed  is  a  muster-roll  of  the  officers 
and  crew  of  the  Braziliera  entitled  to  share  in  the 

prize   money. 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  igth,  1862. 

Messrs.  CUTTING,  SELDEN,  et  als., 

Rochester,  New  York : 

GENTLEMEN:  —  I  received  to-day  your  communica 
tion  of  the  5th  inst,  calling  my  attention  to  certain 
complaints,  made  by  Acting  Assistant  Paymaster  Strong, 
of  improper  treatment  at  the  hands  of  his  commander, 
Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Baxter,  commanding  the 
barque  Gem  of  the  Sea,  one  of  the  vessels  of  my 
squadron. 


312  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

• 

Your,  letter  is  addressed  in  a  tone  and  spirit 
which  commands  my  attention  and  respect,  and  I  will 
answer  it  with  equal  courtesy  and  frankness. 

The  exigencies  of  the  war  have  caused  vessels  to 
be  armed  and  officered  by  persons  who  never  were  in 
the  navy  before,  either  as  commanders  or  subordi 
nates.  It  must  therefore  occasionally  happen  that  the 
former  have  no  knowledge  or  experience  in  controlling 
their  officers  and  crew,  and  the  latter  no  conception 
of  that  discipline,  subordination,  and  respect  to  author 
ity  which  constitutes  the  difference  between  a  man-of- 
war  and  a  passenger  -  ship. 

The  Gem  of  the  Sea  joined  my  squadron  on  the 
/th  of  November,  and  soon  after  was  dispatched  on 
blockading  duty.  On  her  return  to  Port  Royal,  near 
the  end  of  March,  Paymaster  Strong,  the  surgeon, 
and  one  or  two  of  the  other  officers  requested  to  be 
detached  from  the  ship;  a  request  which  could  not 
then  be  granted.  Failing  in  this,  and  just  before  the 
vessel  was  going  to  sea,  they  all  sent  in  their  resig 
nations  at  the  same  time,  apparently  in  concert  with 
each  other;  thus  rendering  the  ship  useless. 

I  sent  for  them  into  my  cabin,  reminded  them 
that  their  course  of  action  amounted  to  a  combination, 
and,  if  persisted  in,  would  oblige  me  to  place  them 
under  arrest. 

I  listened  to  their  grievances,  calmly  instructed 
them  in  their  duties,  enjoined  the  necessity  of  disci 
pline,  and  earnestly  inculcated  harmony,  informing  them, 
however,  in  consequence  of  the  course  taken  by  them, 
I  should  order  them  to  proceed  in  the  vessel'  to  the 
blockading  post ;  but  if,  on  her  return,  they  would 
present  their  complaints  in  proper  form,  I  would  in 
vestigate  them  fully. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  313 

On  the  nth  of  April,  the  Gem  of  the  Sea  was 
dispatched  on  blockading  duty  off  Georgetown,  and 
returned  to  Port  Royal  again  about  the  middle  of 
June ;  and,  after  remaining  nearly  a  week,  proceeded 
once  more  off  Georgetown,  the  out -post  station  of 
my  squadron  on  the  north. 

During  the  time  of  her  stay  no  complaints  were 
made  by  any  of  her  officers  who  had  previously  sent 
in  their  resignations;  and  I  concluded  that  all  diffi 
culties  had  been  smoothed  away. 

The  hopes  that  I  then  entertained  of  harmony  on 
board  that  ship  appear,  however,  not  to  have  been 
realized;  and  as  the  vessel  has  been  out  on  this 
station  over  ten  months,  I  purpose  to  order  her  to 
proceed  from  Georgetown  to  New  York,  so  soon  as 
she  can  be  relieved,  where  any  complaints  or  charges 
that  the  officers  may  have  to  make  can  be  investigated. 

In  justice  to  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Baxter, 
I  must  add  that  he  has  been  under  fire  on  several  occa 
sions,  and  has  been  spoken  of  in  very  high  terms  by 
his  senior  officers. 

I   am,  gentlemen,  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  ipth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  I  have  dispatched  the  following  vessels  to 
the  North:  — 

The  Ino,  Acting  Master  Devans  commanding,  to 
New  York,  with  a  number  of  men  from  the  squadron 


3H  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

whose  times  are  out,  and  for  whom  there  was  no  room 
on  the  Massachusetts.  The  Ino  was  also  in  want  of 
certain  outfits  which  could  not  be  supplied  here,  and 
was  without  a  proper  complement  of  officers  and  crew. 
She  sailed  on  the  nth  inst. 

The  Onward,  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Nickels 
commanding,  to  New  York,  to  be  docked,  in  conse 
quence  of  injuries  received  from  running  aground.  She 
sailed  on  the  i8th  inst. 

The  James  Adger,  Commander  Baldwin,  to  Balti 
more,  to  receive  on  board  the  new  steam  chimney  con 
structing  there.  This  steamer  is  in  want  of  other 
repairs. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  2oth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  of  the  departure,  on  the  i/th  inst,  for  Philadel 
phia,  of  the  United  States  sloop  Dale. 

This  vessel  has  been  long  in  commission,  and  her 
crew  twice  threatened  with  scurvy.  They  are  a  fine 
body  of  men,  and  though  the  Dale  has  been  a  ser 
viceable  vessel  in  her  way,  the  crew  would  be  more 
useful  if  transferred  to  a  steamer. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  315 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  2oth,  1862. 

Commander  C.  STEEDMAN,  Senior  Officer, 
St.  John's  River : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  filled  up  the  Uncas  with  ammuni 
tion,  with  which  she  leaves  in  the  morning.  I  regret 
to  say,  however,  there  are  no  shells  for  the  one- 
hundred-pounder  rifle.  I  may  direct  the  Uncas  to  go 
into  Wassaw  and  obtain  a  few  from  the  Sebago. 

I  have  received  your  official  report  of  operations 
in  the  St.  John's,  and  see  the  propriety  of  your  sug 
gestions  that  some  troops  should  land  and  take  the 
batteries  in  the  rear,  in  order  to  secure  the  garrison 
when  shelled  out  by  the  gunboats. 

General  Brannan  will  proceed  on  Monday  with 
some  fifteen  hundred  men,  with  whom  I  recommend  a 
cordial  and  efficient  co-operation. 

From  information  furnished  by  Acting  Master  Crane, 
and  by  contrabands,  the  troops  can  be  landed  at  the 
creek  below  the  bluff. 

I  would  recommend  that  in  the  meantime  you  will 
disturb  the  rebels  by  an  occasional  shot,  and  keep 
them  from  improving  their  work  until  the  troops 
arrive. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


316  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  2ist,  1862. 

Major  -  General  MITCHELL,  Commanding 
Department  of  the  South: 

GENERAL  :  —  When  the  communication  from  your 
Adjutant -General  came  to-day,  the  weather  had  not 
quite  declared  itself,  and  I  felt  like  deferring  an  hour 
or  two  before  making  the  suggestion,  which  I  do  not 
now  hesitate  to  make,  that  the  troops  should  not  em 
bark  until  this  storm  is  over. 

The  discomfort  to  them  is  very  great  under  any 
delay,  and  the  bars  are  rendered  impassable  on  the  coast, 
generally,  particularly  the  St.  John's,  until  a  day  or  so 
after  a  storm. 

My  force,  as  you  are  aware,  is  on  the  river,  ex 
cepting  the  vessel  with  the  supply  of  ammunition, 
which  will  precede  the  expedition.  It  is  for  the  troops 
that  I  feel  concern,  and  hence  this  note. 

I   am,  General,  with  great   respect,  yours,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  23d,  1862. 

Major-General  O.  M.  MITCHELL,  Commanding 
Department  of  the  South: 

GENERAL:  —  As  you  requested  me,  I  think  I  may 
venture  to  say  that,  from  present  appearances,  as  far  as 
the  weather  is  concerned,  the  transports  may  leave  at 
any  time  that  you  may  deem  best. 

The  bar  at  St.  John's  is  still  in  a  disturbed  con 
dition,  no  doubt,  but  I  hope  will  be  passable  in  a  day 
or  two,  in  which  case,  as  the  spring  tides  are  making, 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  317 

it   is    desirable   that   the   vessels    should   take    advantage 
of  them. 

The  Uncas  left  this  morning  by  the  inland  pas 
sage,  and  the  Water  Witch  outside,  and  though  the 
latter  has  to  call  at  two  places,  I  have  no  doubt 
both  will  be  at  St.  John's  before  the  arrival  of  the 
troops. 

I  deem  it  proper  to  say  that  as  this  is  the 
month  of  September,  during  which  the  weather  is 
always  unsettled,  in  case  the  transports  find  it  danger 
ous  to  cross  the  St.  John's  bar,  they  can  run  into 
Fernandina ;  in  which  event  it  would  be  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  keep  the  destination  of  the  expedition 
secret,  as  there  is  constant  communication  between  Fer 
nandina  and  the  St.  John's. 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  the  information  you 
kindly  sent  me  Lto-day,  in  reference  to  the  rams  at 
Savannah. 

I    am,  General,  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  26th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the   Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  Several  reasons,  not  necessary  to  trouble 
the  Department  with,  but  based  on  a  full  experience 
of  our  necessities  here,  induce  me  to  suggest  the  ad 
vantage  of  having  a  coal  hulk  in  this  harbor,  capable 
of  holding  say  a  thousand  tons.  My  impression  is  she 
will  pay  for  herself  in  a  limited  period  by  saving 


318  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

demurrage  on  the  chartered  vessels  bringing  coal.  I 
never  proposed  a  depot  on  shore,  because  it  involved 
the  construction  of  an  extensive  wharf. 

If  fitted  with  small  engines,  and  other  facilities  for 
hoisting  in  coal,  the  principal  delay  in  dispatching  the 
steamers  when  they  run  in  for  supplies  will  be  ob 
viated. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  a6th,  1862. 

To  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  the  Department's  communication  of  the  I2th 
inst,  enclosing  a  letter  from  a  seaman  on  board  the 
steamer  Uncas,  addressed  to  the  Hon.  J.  P.  Hale. 

The  Uncas  is  now  in  the  St.  John's  River,  and  I 
shall  send  orders  by  the  first  opportunity  to  the  senior 
officer  there  to  institute  at  the  earliest  moment  prac 
ticable  the  inquiry  directed  by  the  Department.  I  have 
no  doubt  there  may  be  more  or  less  foundation  for 
the  statements. 

The  Department  well  knows  the  origin  of  these 
complaints ;  they  spring  ^frorn  the  exigencies  of  the 
war,  which  have  compelled  it  to  receive  very  frequently 
into  the  service,  before  trial,  persons  who  are  wholly 
incompetent  to  command ;  the  more  so  that  the  offi 
cers  under  them  are  still  more  ignorant  than  them 
selves  of  all  ideas  of  that  subordination  and  discipline 
which  constitute  the  difference  between  a  passenger-ship 
and  a  man-of-war. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT. 


319 


I  have  had  three  vessels  of  this  description  in  my 
fleet,  which  had  not  a  single  regular  officer  on  board, 
and  they  have  been  a  source  of  worry  and  anxiety  to 
me,  for  the  Department  is  aware  how  almost  impossi 
ble  it  is  to  hold  courts  of  inquiry  and  courts -martial 
when  engaged  in  war  service ;  the  detention  of  ships 
and  witnesses  for  this  purpose  in  harbor  would  be 
most  deleterious  to  the  public  interest. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  26th,  1862. 

Major -General  O.  M.  MITCHELL,  Commanding 
Department  of  the  South : 

GENERAL  :  —  The  gunboat  Potomska  is  just  in, 
three  days  from  Hampton  Roads. 

She  brings  me  an  order  from  the  Navy  Depart 
ment  to  report  at  Washington  without  delay,  on  matters 
connected  with  my  command. 

As  this  order  is  dated  so  far  back  as  the  roth 
inst,  I  feel  it  incumbent  to  leave  in  the  morning ; 
otherwise  I  should  have  the  satisfaction  of  taking  leave 
of  you  in  person. 

I  shall  go  in  one  of  my  smaller  steamers,  which 
will  enable  me  to  leave  the  Wabash  for  the  better 
protection  of  this  harbor. 

The  senior  officer  in  my  place  is  Captain  S.  W. 
Godon,  now  off  Charleston.  I  will  direct  him  to  repair 
to  Port  Royal ;  his  headquarters  will  be  on  the 
Vermont. 


32O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  purpose  leaving  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  hope  to  be  back  in  a  couple  of 
weeks. 

With    great   respect,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Sept.  26th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  the  positions  on  blockade  of  the  vessels  of  my 
squadron : — 

At  Georgetown,  S.  C.,  steamer  Norwich,  and  a  small 
steam  tug  captured  from  the  rebels. 

Off  Bull's  Bay,  the   Gemsbok. 

Off  Charleston,  steamers  Powhatan,  Canandaigua, 
Housatonic,  Mercedita,  South  Carolina,  Bienville,  Marble- 
head,  Flambeau  ;  schooners  America  and  G.  W.  Blunt. 

In  Stono,  the  Conemaugh   and   Ellen. 

In    North    Edisto,  the    Huron. 

In   St.  Helena   Sound,  the   Shepherd   Knapp. 

In   Wassaw   Sound,  the   Sebago. 

In  Ossebaw  Sound,  steamers  Vixen  and  Dawn,  and 
barque  Fernandina. 

In   St.  Catherine's,  the   barque    Braziliera. 

In    Sapelo,  the    Madgie. 

In   St.  Simon's,  the   Wamsutta   and   Pawnee. 

In   St.  Andrew's,  the  Florida. 

At    Fernandina,  the  Sumter. 

In  St.  John's  River,  the  Paul  Jones,  Water  Witch, 
E.  B.  Hale,  Uncas,  and  Patroon.  These  steamers,  with 
the  Cimerone  (which  put  in  to  Port  Royal  for  repairs), 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  32! 

in  conjunction  with  a  detachment  from  the  army, 
under  Brigadier  -  General  Brannan,  are  operating  in  the 
St.  John's  River  to  destroy  some  batteries  of  the  enemy 
lately  erected. 

Off  the  Fishing  Rip  (Port  Royal),  as  guard-ship, 
the  Vandalia. 

In  the  harbor  of  Port  Royal,  the  Wabash,  Ver 
mont,  Flag,  Alabama,  Mohawk,  and  bark  Restless;  of 
these,  the  last  four  are  undergoing  repairs  and  taking 
in  provisions. 

The    Hope    is    used   chiefly   as   a   dispatch  vessel. 

The  high -pressure  steamers  Planter  and  Darling 
ton  have  been  transferred  to  the  army. 

The  Pawnee  has  to-day  been  ordered  from  St. 
Simon's  to  Wassaw,  to  reinforce  the  Sebago,  and  the 
Florida  to  Ossebaw,  to  assist  in  blocking  up  the 
Nashville. 

Flag  Ship  Keystone  State, 

Off  Charleston,  Sept.  2yth,  1862. 

Since  the  above  was  written,  I  have,  in  obedience 
to  the  Department's  order  of  the  loth  inst,  transferred 
my  flag  to  the  Keystone  State,  on  my  way  to  Phila 
delphia. 

I  have  examined  again  the  positions  of  the  block 
ading  vessels  off  this  port.  They  are  most  judiciously 
placed ;  yet  I  must  report  to  the  Department  that 
they  are  too  few  in  number. 

I  trust  that  t  some  of  the  steamers  which  have 
gone  North  for  repairs,  particularly  the  gunboats,  are 
on  their  way  to  rejoin  this  squadron. 

Captain  Godon,  of  the  Powhatan,  proceeds  to  Port 
Royal  to  assume  charge  of  the  squadron  during  my 
absence.  He  will  take  up  his  residence  on  board  the 


322  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Vermont,  as   it   was    impossible   to   spare   the    Powhatan 
from   off   Charleston. 

I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  the  Department, 
that,  during  the  past  week,  one  steamer  has  been  pre 
vented  from  getting  in  to  Charleston,  and  another 
driven  back  and  shelled  by  the  Flambeau  while  tem 
porarily  on  the  beach  under  the  batteries.  A  schooner 
was  also  driven  back  by  the  Norwich,  a  few  nights 
previous. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  23d,  1862. 

Commander  W.  E.  LE  ROY,  United  States  Ship 
Keystone  State: 

SIR:  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  Keystone 
State,  under  your  command,  and  report  to  the  senior 
officer  off  Charleston  for  blockading  duty. 

Having  had  my  flag  so  often  on  board  your  ship, 
affording  so  many  opportunities  of  judging  of  her 
efficiency,  good  order,  discipline,  and  harmony,  with 
your  promptitude  and  zeal  in  carrying  out  my  orders 
on  other  occasions,  I  deem  this,  after  our  recent  asso 
ciation  a  fitting  moment  to  express  my  warm  com 
mendation  and  high  appreciation  of  your  services  dur 
ing  the  whole  period  that  you  have  been  attached  to 
this  squadron. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S,  F.  DU PONT.  323 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  24th,  1862. 

T.  W.  SUMMERS,  United  States  Hospital,  Sixth  below 
Race  Street,  Phila. : 

DEAR  SIR: — I  return  the  enclosed  letter  which, 
with  the  one  from  my  nephew,  I  found  waiting  my 
return  from  the  North,  three  days  since;  with  it  I 
have  the  painful  duty  of  announcing  the  death  of  your 
brother.  He  died  on  board  of  the  Wabash,  on  the 
I5th  of  October,  at  10.30  P.M.  Taking  cold,  fever 
supervened,  which  went  into  typhoid.  He  had  skillful 
and  kind  medical  attendance,  with  every  care  through 
out  his  illness,  which  lasted  from  the  I5th  of  Septem 
ber  to  the  above  date.  He  was  decently  interred  at  Bay 
Point;  and  the  chaplain  of  the  Wabash,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Dorrance,  read  the  service  over  his  remains. 

He  spoke  of  his  mother;  earnestly  entreated  to 
be  allowed  to  go  and  see  her,  after  he  was  unable 
to  walk ;  requested  a  letter  might  be  sent  to  Colonel 
Crammer,  Augusta,  Georgia,  stating  he  was  sick. 

He  and  three  other  men,  showing  a  white  flag  on 
the  shore  of  Nassau  Inlet,  were  sent  for,  and  received 
on  board  one  of  the  gunboats,  and  transmitted  to  me 
here.  They  had  their  carbines.  Two  declared  them 
selves  deserters,  and  were  immediately  sent  North. 
Taking  the  oath  of  allegiance,  the  other  two,  your 
brother  being  one,  said  they  were  prisoners,  and  had 
come  unexpectedly  on  the  gunboats,  and  wished  to  be  so 
considered.  One,  named  Scott,  was  landed  and  handed 
over  to  the  provost  marshal  at  Hilton  Head.  Your 
brother,  being  sick,  was  retained  on  board  and  died. 

While  North  I  was  called  upon  by  Scott's  wife, 
who  was  in  Savannah  when  her  husband  deserted,  and 
endeavored  to  prevent  his  doing  so;  but  he  replied 


324  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

he  could  not  live  under  such  a  government  any  longer; 
and  yet,  when  he  came  on  board,  refused  to  be  con 
sidered  a  deserter,  but  a  prisoner.  He  may  have  in 
fluenced  your  brother  to  take  the  same  view  for  some 
fancied  advantage. 

Regretting   to   have   to   convey  to   you   this    melan 
choly   information,  and    sympathizing    with    the    parents 
and    relations   of   the   deceased,  I   am,  sir, 
Respectfully  yours, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Admiral  Commanding. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  25th,  1862. 

Hon.  JOHN  CADWALLADER,  United  States  District  Judge, 
Philadelphia : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  United 
States,  schooner  America,  Acting  Master  J.  Baker, 
commanding,  captured  the  schooner  David  Crockett, 
on  the  night  of  the  1 3th  inst,  attempting  to  run  the 
blockade  out  of  Charleston,  by  Dewey's  Inlet. 

The  schooner,  being  in  a  leaky  condition,  was  dis 
patched  to  this  port,  when  a  survey  was  ordered  upon 
her.  The  Board  condemned  her  as  unseaworthy,  and 
appraised  the  value  of  the  vessel  at  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars.  The  cargo,  according  to  their  report 
(hereby  enclosed),  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  barrels  spirits  turpentine,  and  thirteen  barrels  rosin, 
but  this  estimate  was  made  from  memoranda,  and 
without  breaking  bulk. 

The  cargo  has  been  transferred  to  the  brig  Abby 
Ellen,  and  sent  to  Philadelphia.  In  this  transhipment 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DUPONT.  325 

it  was  ascertained  that  there  were  one  hundred  and 
seventy-two  barrels  turpentine,  and  ten  barrels  rosin. 
Of  the  turpentine,  ten  barrels  were  retained  for  the 
use  of  the  squadron,  there  being  a  necessary  demand 
for  the  same.  The  cargo  shipped  by  the  Abby  Ellen 
consists  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-two  barrels  of  tur 
pentine,  and  ten  barrels  rosin,  consigned  (as  per  bill 
of  lading  enclosed)  to  you. 

No  ship's  papers  were  found  on  board;  the  only 
papers  being  letters  which,  with  this  communication, 
will  be  delivered  to  you  by  F.  A.  Gilmore,  master  of 
the  Abby  Ellen. 

I  send  by  the  brig  the  master  of  the  prize,  William 
Thomson,  and  one  of  the  crew,  William  Travis.  The 
mate  and  three  others  of  the  crew,  with  two  passen 
gers,  will  be  sent  North  by  the  first  opportunity. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  25th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  enclose  copy  of  a  communication  of  the 
2 1st  inst.  from  Lieutenant  Commander  Scott,  of  the 
Sebago,  giving  information  derived  from  a  deserter  from 
Savannah. 

Whatever  inaccuracies  there  may  be  in  the  details 
of  such  statements,  there  is  a  general  concurrence  as 
to  points  which  should  be  noted,  viz.,  that  three  iron 
clads,  with  rams,  are  building  at  Savannah,  and  two  at 


326  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Charleston.  The  Fingal,  all  agree,  has  a  very  powerful 
engine ;  when  she  is  completed  it  is  the  intention  to 
take  up  the  Nashville  and  clad  her. 

This  man  reports  he  overheard  a  conversation 
between  General  Mercer  and  Commodore  Tatnall,  in 
which  the  former  said  "  They  are  moving  in  Virginia ; 
we  ought  to  be  doing  something  here."  "  Yes,"  re 
plied  Tatnall,  "  we  ought,  but  I  am  not  going  to  sea 
in  this  vessel  alone ;  I  must  be  joined  by  the  Charles 
ton  vessels." 

The  idea  seemed  to  be  to  open  the  Savannah 
river,  then  come  to  Port  Royal,  and  thence  off  Charles 
ton,  and  raise  the  blockade. 

Since  the  above  was  written  two  contrabands  have 
come  in,  one  a  stevedore,  who  works  on  the  wharves, 
both  more  intelligent  than  the  white  men.  They  state 
the  Fingal  to  be  ready ;  think  she  will  draw  a  great 
deal  of  water,  however  (16  feet);  her  roof  nearly  down 
to  the  water's  edge.  Two  others  are  building ;  a  third 
was  commenced,  but  the  work  stopped  for  some  reason. 

They  confirm  the  report  that  the  Nashville  is  laid 
up,  having  entirely  unloaded  her  cotton,  and  is  now 
moored  at  the  railroad  bridge,  fifteen  miles  from  Sa 
vannah.  Large  quantities  of  cotton  are  collecting  in 
Savannah,  all  baled  for  storage.  Four  thousand  con 
trabands  are  at  work  on  the  entrenchments  round  Sa 
vannah  ;  all  would  leave  and  come  to  the  coast  if 
they  dared. 

I  submit  that  the  Ironsides  and  Passaic  should  be 
dispatched  at  an  early  day. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  $2? 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  27th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy": 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  the  following  positions  of  the  vessels  of  the 
South  Atlantic  blockading  squadron :  — 

At   Georgetown,  steamer   Norwich. 

In    Bull's    Bay,  barque    Restless. 

Off  Charleston,  steamers  Powhatan,  Canandaigua, 
Housatonic,  Mercedita,  South  Carolina,  Bienville,  Flag, 
Flambeau,  Seneca,  Memphis,  Quaker  City,  Keystone 
State,  and  schooner  G.  W.  Blunt. 

In   Stono,  steamer    Isaac   Smith. 

At    North    Edisto,  steamer   Unadilla. 

In    St.   Helena    Sound,  barque    Shepherd    Knapp. 

In    Wassaw,  steamers    Conemaugh    and    Pawnee. 

In  Ossebaw,  steamers  Wissahickon  and  Dawn,  and 
barque  Fernandina. 

In  St.  Simon's,  and  guarding  also  St.  Catherine's, 
Sapelo,  and  Doboy,  steamers  Paul  Jones,  Wamsutta, 
Madgie,  Potomska,  Western  World,  and  barque  Braziliera. 

In  St.  Andrew's,  barque  Midnight  (relieving  barque 
Gemsbok,  s^nt  to  Turtle  Bay). 

At   Fernandina,  steamer    Mohawk. 

In  St.  John's  river,  steamers  Cimerone  and  E.  B. 
Hale. 

Guard-ship   at    Port    Royal,  Vandalia. 

In  Port  Royal,  Wabash  and  Vermont,  and  the  fol 
lowing  vessels  undergoing  repairs,  viz. :  Water  Witch, 
Uncas,  Patroon,  Marblehead,  Sebago,  and  Florida ; 
schooner  Hope,  dispatch  vessel. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.    F.    Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


328  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  a8th,  1862. 

Commander  C.  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Ship 
Paul  Jones,  Port  Royal : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  Paul 
Jones,  under  your  command,  to  St.  Simon's,  and  take 
charge  of  the  blockade  of  that  station  and  the  con 
tiguous  waters. 

General  Saxton  is  desirous  of  sending  the  Dar 
lington  up  the  Altamaha  for  supplies  of  rice  for  the 
contrabands.  Please  give  her  such  protection  as  may 
be  desirable,  and  which  will  not  interfere  with  your 
blockading  duties. 

All  friendly  contrabands  asking  protection  you  will 
receive  and  retain,  if  need  be,  until  sent  for  by  Gen 
eral  Saxton. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  I  learn  the  condition  of  the  Western 
World  requires  her  to  return  at  once  to  Port  Royal. 

You  will  therefore  dispatch  her  to  this  port ;  and 
whatever  excess  of  stores  she  may  have  you  will 
distribute  to  the  other  vessels. 

Lieutenant  Commander  Semmes  had  better  take 
passage  in  her  to  this  place. 

S.  F.  D.  P. 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  329 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  28th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward,  for  the  in 
formation  of  the  Department,  the  enclosed  copy  of  a 
report  by  Acting  Lieutenant  Watmough,  commanding 
the  United  States  ship  Memphis,  of  the  capture  of 
the  English  steamer  Ouachita,  on  the  I4th  inst.,  on 
his  way  to  join  my  squadron. 

The  steamer,  when  overtaken,  was  disabled  in  her 
boilers  by  her  efforts  to  escape,  and  was  towed  to 
this  harbor  by  the  Memphis. 

I  shall  send  her  North  for  adjudication,  so  soon 
as  I  can  get  a  tow  for  her. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  28th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the   Navy  : 


SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  that  on  the  morning  of  the  2Oth  inst,  between 
the  hours  of  two  and  three  o'clock,  a  steamer  suc 
ceeded  in  running  the  blockade  off  Charleston.  She 
passed  to  the  northward  of  the  Rattlesnake  Shoal,  and 
was  first  discovered  by  the  schooner  Blunt,  who  made 
the  usual  signals,  and  fired  at  her,  but  could  not  pur 
sue,  as  there  was  no  wind.  The  Flambeau  was  on  the 
alert,  and  soon  after  discovering  the  steamer,  Lieuten 
ant  Commander  Upshur  slipped  his  chain  and  com- 


33O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

menced  firing,  but  though  he  discharged  nine  shells  at 
her,  did  not  succeed  in  arresting  her  progress.  He 
pursued  her  until  his  own  vessel  was  under  the  fire 
of  the  rebel  batteries. 

In  the  morning  it  was  discovered  that  the  steamer 
had  run  aground,  close  to  Fort  Moultrie,  and  was 
apparently  bilged. 

By  the  Charleston  papers,  since  received,  it  appears 
that  this  steamer  was  the  Minho ;  that  she  will  per 
haps  become  a  wreck,  as  there  is  much  water  in  the 
hold,  and  part  of  the  cargo  floating  about  in  the  vessel. 
So  much  of  the  cargo,  it  is  stated,  as  may  be  destroyed 
by  water,  will  be  nearly  a  total  loss. 

I  regret  the  escape  of  this  vessel,  but  under  the 
circumstances,  owing  to  the  darkness  of  the  night  and 
haziness  of  the  atmosphere,  rendering  it  difficult  to  dis 
cover  a  vessel  only  a  short  distance  off,  I  can  attach 
no  blame  to  the  officers  on  the  blockade. 

I    enclose    Lieutenant   Commander   Upshur's    report. 
•  Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  VVabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  Oct.  29th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commander  R.  W.  SCOTT,  United  States 
Ship  Sebago : 

SIR  :  —  In  forwarding  your  orders  from  the  Navy 
Department,  detaching  you  from  the  command  of  the 
Sebago,  and  directing  you  to  return  North,  I  desire 
to  express  my  commendation  of  the  uniform  and  effi 
cient  manner  in  which  you  have  performed  your  several 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  331 

duties;  evincing  a  ready  zeal  to  remain  out  on  the 
station  when  your  services,  and  those  of  your  ship, 
were  required. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  29th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  pleasure  to  report  to  the  De 
partment  the  capture  on  the  24th  inst.  of  the  British 
steamer  Scotia,  by  the  United  States  barque  Restless, 
Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  E.  Conroy,  commanding  at 
Bull's  Bay. 

The  steamer  was  discovered  at  daylight,  standing 
towards  Bull's  Island.  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant 
Conroy  immediately  got  under  way  with  his  vessel, 
and  at  the  same  time  sent  two  armed  boats  to  the 
leeward  of  the  steamer,  which  forced  her  to  run  ashore. 
He  then  ran  in  with  the  Restless  to  cut  her  off  and 
keep  her  from  running  out,  should  she  get  off  before 
the  boats  could  reach  her. 

When  the  boats  got  alongside  it  was  discovered 
that  the  captain  (an  old  offender  named  Libby),  with  a 
gentleman  and  lady  (passengers),  had  left  the  steamer 
in  an  open  boat;  the  crew  were  in  a  state  of  in 
toxication,  so  they  became  almost  unmanageable,  and 
Lieutenant  Conroy  ordered  them  to  be  transferred  on 
board  the  Restless,  and  put  in  irons. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Conroy  did  not  suc 
ceed  in  getting  her  off  until  the  morning  of  the  26th, 


332  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

during  which  time  he  was  obliged  to  anchor  with  the 
Restless  within  gunshot  of  the  prize,  to  protect  her, 
and  at  low  tide  his  own  vessel  touched  bottom  several 
times,  but  without  sustaining  any  material  injury.  He 
reports  the  loss,  by  drowning,  of  John  Martin  (S.),  of 
the  Restless,  and  a  fireman  of  the  Scotia,  in  conse 
quence  of  the  swamping  of  a  boat  in  trying  to  get  out 
a  hawser. 

In  getting  off  the  Scotia,  and  afterwards  in  bring 
ing  her  to  Port  Royal,  the  engineers  of  that  vessel 
rendered  every  assistance  in  their  power,  for  which 
Lieutenant  Conroy  promised  that  they  should  receive 
compensation. 

I  have  further  the  honor  to  report  the  capture, 
at  Bull's  Bay,  on  the  2/th  inst.,  of  the  British  steamer 
Anglia,  by  the  boats  of  the  United  States  ship  Flag. 

The  Restless,  then  under  command  of  Acting  Mas 
ter  Griswold  (Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Conroy  being 
temporarily  absent  on  duty  in  the  Scotia),  had  discov 
ered  the  steamer  entering  Bull's  Bay  the  evening  be 
fore,  but  she  having  passed  so  far  to  windward  of 
her,  the  Restless  could  not  prevent  her  getting  in ; 
and  having  only  one  small  boat  belonging  to  the  ship, 
Acting  Master  Griswold  did  not  think  it  prudent  to 
send  her  in  pursuit,  but  he  got  the  Restless  in  posi 
tion  to  command  the  channel,  for  the  purpose  of  pre 
venting  the  escape  of  the  steamer. 

On  the  next  day,  the  Flag,  having  Acting  Volunteer 
Lieutenant  Conroy  on  board,  on  his  way  to  join  his 
vessel,  arrived  at  the  anchorage  of  the  Restless,  and 
on  receiving  the  above  information,  Commander  Strong, 
under  the  pilotage  of  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant 
Conroy,  ran  the  Flag  close  to  the  bar,  which  his 
vessel  could  not  cross,  and  dispatched  four  armed 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  333 

boats,  under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Commander  Car 
penter  and  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Conroy,  inside 
of  Bull's  Island. 

The  steamer  was  discovered  on  shore,  near  Jack's 
Creek,  about  four  miles  from  the  entrance  of  Bull's 
Bay,  but  was  soon  safely  got  off.  All  of  her  officers 
and  crew  were  on  board  (except  the  pilot  and  six 
men,  who  had  gone  to  Charleston  the  evening  pre 
vious),  and,  according  to  Lieutenant  Commander  Car 
penter's  report,  rendered  every  assistance  in  getting 
her  off.  Lieutenant  Conroy  piloted  the  Anglia  out 
of  Bull's  Bay  and  over  the  bar. 

The  Anglia,  when  captured,  was  almost  out  of 
coal,  and  was  sent  by  Captain  Godon,  senior  officer 
off  Charleston,  to  this  harbor  to  be  supplied.  She  is 
the  same  vessel  which  attempted,  on  the  night  of  the 
iQth  of  September  last,  to  enter  Charleston  harbor 
by  Sanford's  channel ;  but  was  headed  off,  though  she 
succeeded  in  escaping  in  the  darkness.  I  shall  dis 
patch  both  these  steamers  North  as  soon  as  practicable. 

Before  closing  this  dispatch,  I  cannot  forbear 
calling  the  attention  of  the  Department  to  the  energy 
and  activity  displayed  on  all  occasions  by  Acting 
Volunteer  Lieutenant  Conroy,  of  the  Restless. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


334  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  3oth,  1862. 

Commander  M.  WOODHULL,  United  States  Ship 
Cimerone,  St.  John's : 

SIR  :  —  I  learn  from  Fernandina  that  two  schooners 
are  loading  with  cotton  and  turpentine,  at  Nassau, 
Florida.  At  high  water  there  is  from  nine  and  one- 
half  to  ten  feet  of  water,  but  not  more.  There  was 
a  battery  there,  which  was  abandoned  when  we  cap 
tured  Fernandina*  if  vessels  are  loading,  they  may 
have  put  up  some  work  to  protect  them. 

Will  you  please  send  the  Hale  to  examine  into 
this,  feeling  her  way,  and  capture  the  schooners. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  3151,  1862. 

United  States  Prize  Commissioners,  New  York : 

GENTLEMEN:  —  I  have  to  report  to  you  the  capture 
of  the  British  steamer  Anglia,  from  Nassau,  on  the 
27th  inst.,  at  Bull's  Bay,  for  violating  the  blockade,. 

This  steamer  entered  Bull's  Bay  on  the  26th, 
passing  the  armed  sailing  barque  Restless,  which,  on 
account  of  the  wind,  could  not  intercept  her.  She 
grounded,  however,  after  entering;  and  on  the  next 
day  Commander  Strong,  of  the  United  States  ship 
Flag,  sent  in  four  boats,  under  the  command  of  Lieu 
tenant  Commander  Charles  C.  Carpenter,  the  executive 
officer  of  that  ship,  and  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant 
E.  Conroy,  commanding  the  Restless.  They  found  the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  335 

Anglia  ashore,  about  four  miles  from  the  entrance  of 
Bull's  Bay,  but  succeeded,  in  a  short  time,  in  getting 
her  off  safely. 

Being  out  of  coal,  the  steamer  was  brought  to 
this  port ;  and  I  now  send  her  to  New  York  for 
adjudication,  under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Commander 
Carpenter,  who  will  deliver  to  you  this  communication, 
and  the  papers  found  on  board,  and  will  give  the 
necessary  evidence  as  to  her  capture.  Acting  Master 
Griswold  will  also  give  his  testimony  in  the  case. 

The  captain,  second  engineer,  third  engineer,  the 
storekeeper,  carpenter,  and  twelve  of  the  crew,  go 
North  in  the  prize.  The  rest  of  the  crew,  nineteen  in 
number,  go  North  in  the  United  States  ship  Florida. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  The  Florida  came  into  port  a  few  days  ago, 
and  has  been  repaired  sufficiently  to  enable  her  to  go 
to  New  York,  where  her  machinery  awaits  her. 

She  sailed  this  morning,  with  invalids  and  crews 
of  prizes. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


336  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  an  appraise 
ment  of  the  yacht  America,  the  circumstances  of  the 
raising  of  which  vessel,  in  the  St.  John's  river,  where 
she  had  been  sunk  by  the  rebels,  have  been  previously 
communicated  to  the  Department. 

As  I  have  sent  the  America  to  New  York  for 
repairs,  I  concluded  it  proper  to  have  this  appraise 
ment  made  before  she  sailed. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  report  of 
Commander  C.  Steedman,  of  the  Paul  Jones,  detailing 
the  movements  of  the  gunboats  placed  under  his  charge 
in  an  expedition  undertaken  to  destroy  the  railroad 
bridge  near  Pocotaligo. 

This  expedition  was  organized  and  partially  carried 
out  during  my  absence,  though  I  was  at  Port  Royal 
when  the  gunboats  and  troops  returned. 

As  the  Department  will  perceive  by  the  report  of 
Commander  Steedman,  as  well  as  that  of  Lieutenant 
Lloyd  Phenix,  of  the  Wabash,  our  men  behaved  with 
their  usual  gallantry. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  337 

The  only  casualties  were  to  the  men  of  this  ship, 
three  of  whom  were  wounded ;  one,  Oscar  Farenholt, 
seriously,  and  two,  David  Morrow  and  John  Barnard, 
slightly.  I  enclose  Fleet  Surgeon  Clymer's  report. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  Enclosed  is  the  report  of  a  board  of  offi 
cers  on  the  condition  of  the  quarters  of  the  Patroon 
for  officers  and  men. 

Incidentally,  I  had  heard  complaints  on  this  sub 
ject  before;  and  the  vessel  being  now  in  harbor,  I 
ordered  the  above  survey  to  ascertain  whether  the 
defects  referred  to  could  be  remedied. 

The  Department  will  perceive  by  the  report  that, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  board,  there  is  no  remedy  for 
the  evils  complained  of,  and  that  she  is  totally  unfit 
for  the  service  in  which  she  is  employed. 

In  this  view  I  am,  from  my  own  knowledge,  forced 
to  concur;  and  though  the  Patroon,  from  her  light 
draft,  would  be  under  other  circumstances  a  useful 
vessel  in  my  squadron,  yet,  as  the  Department  is 
aware,  discomforts  of  this  nature,  after  a  certain  length 
of  time,  produce  discontent,  and  demoralize  men  and 
officers.  I  have  therefore  deemed  it  best  to  send  her 
to  New  York,  under  Acting  Master  W.  D.  Uraim, 
directing  him  to  report  his  arrival  to  the  Department 
in  writing. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

22  Rear  Admiral. 


338  OFFIC1A  L  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Oct.  ad,  1862. 

Brigadier- General  SAXTON,  Military  Governor, 
South  Carolina: 

GENERAL  :  —  I  received  this  morning  a  dispatch 
from  the  senior  officer  at  Georgetown,  in  which  he 
informs  me  that  he  has  two  hundred  and  fifty  con 
trabands  under  his  charge,  very  destitute  of  clothing, 
and  others  coming  in  every  day. 

I  regret  I  cannot  offer  you  any  assistance  in  the 
way  of  transportation.  I  have  directed  Commander 
Duncan  to  supply  such  with  clothing  as  are  absolutely 
suffering  for  want  of  it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  3d,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commander  J.  G.  MAXWELL,  United  States 
Ship  Pawnee: 

SIR  :  —  As  soon  as  you  are  ready  you  will  please 
proceed  with  the  Pawnee,  under  your  command,  to 
Philadelphia,  and  on  your  arrival  there  you  will  report 
yourself  to  the  commandant  of  the  yard,  and  through 
him  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

The  Pawnee  has  been  a  long  time  out,  and  I 
now  send  her  North  that  the  vessel  may  undergo  re 
pairs,  and  the  officers  and  crew  take  some  relaxation. 

I  take  this  occasion  to  express  my  satisfaction  at 
the  manner  in  which  you  have  commanded  the  Paw 
nee  since  Captain  Drayton  left  her. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  339 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  3d,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR:  —  I  have  to  inform  you  that  I  am  dis 
patching  this  day  the  Pawnee  to  Philadelphia,  where 
she  was  built  and  her  machinery  made. 

The  Pawnee  has  been  longer  on  duty  here,  with 
out  going  North,  than  any  vessel  in  my  squadron, 
and  during  this  time  has  been  occupying  stations  very 
trying  to  the  health,  rendering  a  change  desirable  to 
her  crew  and  officers. 

This  steamer,  under  her  zealous  and  efficient  com 
mander,  Captain  P.  Drayton,  with  her  light  draft,  and 
heavy  armament,  has  been  invaluable  in  our  operations 
on  the  coast,  as  well  as  in  holding  the  inland  waters. 
She  returns  under  her  Lieutenant  Commander  J.  G.  Max 
well,  who  succeeded  to  the  command  on  Captain  Dray- 
ton  going  North,  and  who  has  been  attached  to  her 
during  her  entire  cruise. 

I  may  also  mention  that  Lientenants  Weidman 
and  Samson,  though  more  recently  attached  to  her, 
have  both  served  in  the  squadron  since  its  organi 
zation,  and  did  not  return  to  the  North  in  the  vessels 
to  which  they  were  originally  attached. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


340  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  6th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  The  Western  World,  perforated  by  worms, 
and  otherwise  injured,  must  be  dispatched  North  at 
once,  or  will  soon  be  beyond  the  reach  of  repairs. 

I  have  to  enclose  reports  of  an  unsatisfactory 
character,  as  to  the  state  of  discipline  on  board  of 
her,  similar  to  those  of  several  of  the  vessels  of  this 
squadron  in  like  circumstances ;  such  as  the  Gem  of 
the  Sea ;  the  Onward,  temporarily ;  the  Uncas  and 
Patroon. 

The  Department  has  been  advised  by  me  as  to 
the  foundation  of  these  difficulties,  as  a  general  rule; 
the  exigencies  of  the  public  service  not  allowing  even 
one  regular  officer  in  their  complement.  Some  of  the 
commanding  officers  have  not  the  faculty  of  controlling 
those  under  them,  and  among  the  latter  are  many 
officers  who  are  ignorant  and  insubordinate  in  spirit. 

By  directing  the  senior  officers  of  divisions  pres 
ent  to  investigate  such  matters,  changing  commanding 
officers,  and  removing  refractory  sailors,  I  have  done 
all  in  my  power  to  meet  the  evil.  Investigations  by 
courts  of  inquiry,  and  trials  by  courts -martial,  when  the 
latter  have  been  authorized,  involve  serious  detriment  to 
the  public  service,  by  detaining  ships  for  members  and 
witnesses,  and  weakening  the  blockade. 

As  the  Western  World  goes  North,  the  Depart 
ment  can  take  such  action  as  it  may  deem  fit  in  the 
matter  of  the  enclosed  reports. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  341 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  7th,  1862. 

Brigadier-General  J.  M.  BRANNAN,  Commanding 
Department  of  the  South : 

GENERAL:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  communication,  of  the  5th  inst,  enclosing 
an  extract  from  your  report  of  the  recent  expedition 
to  Pocotaligo  bridge. 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  the  kind  manner  in 
which  you  have  spoken  of  the  officers  in  my  squadron 
who  accompanied  you  in  that  expedition. 

I  am  glad  to  find  that  the  same  cordiality  ex 
isted  on  that  occasion,  between  the  two  branches  of 
the  service,  as  has  heretofore  been  'invariably  the  case 
in  this  Department. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  7th,  1862. 

Brigadier  -  General  BRANNAN,  Commanding 
Department  of  the  South : 

GENERAL:  —  In  reply  to  your  communication  of 
the  5th  inst.,  referring  to  the  one  -  hundred  -  pounder 
Parrott  gun  now  on  the  Vermont,  left  here  by  the 
Pawnee,  I  take  pleasure  in  saying  that  the  gun,  with 
ammunition,  is  at  your  service,  and  will  be  delivered 
to  you  whenever  you  have  an  opportunity  to  send 
for  it. 

I    am,  General,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


342  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  8th,  1862. 

United  States  Prize  Commissioners, 
New  York: 

GENTLEMEN:  —  I  have  to  report  to  you  the  cap 
ture  on  the  24th  ult  of  the  British  steamer  Scotia,  by 
the  United  States  barque  Restless,  Acting  Volunteer 
Lieutenant  E.  Conroy  commanding,  at  Bull's  Bay. 

The  steamer  was  discovered  at  daylight,  standing 
towards  Bull's  Island.  Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant 
Conroy  immediately  got  under  way  with  his  vessel,  and 
at  the  same  time  sent  two  armed  boats  to  the  leeward 
of  the  steamer,  which  forced  her  to  run  ashore.  H  e 
then  ran  in  with  the  Restless  to  cut  her  off,  and  keep 
her  from  running  out  should  she  get  off  before  the 
boats  could  reach  her. 

When  the  boats  got  alongside  it  was  discovered 
that  the  captain  (an  old  offender,  named  Libby),  with 
a  gentleman  and  lady  (passengers),  had  left  the  steamer 
in  an  open  boat.  The  crew  were  in  a  state  of  intoxi 
cation,  so  that  they  became  almost  unmanageable,  and 
Lieutenant  Conroy  ordered  them  to  be  transferred  on 
board  the  Restless  and  put  in  irons. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  Conroy  did  not  suc 
ceed  in  getting  her  off  until  the  morning  of  the  26th, 
during  which  time  he  was  obliged  to  anchor  the  Rest 
less  within  gunshot  of  the  prize,  to  protect  her,  and 
at  low  tide  his  own  vessel  touched  bottom  several 
times,  but  without  sustaining  material  injury.  He  re 
ports  the  loss  by  drowning  of  John  Martin  (S.),  of  the 
Restless,  and  a  firemen  of  the  Scotia,  in  consequence 
of  the  swamping  of  a  boat  in  trying  to  get  out  a 
hawser. 

The  machinery  of  the  Scotia  having  sustained  some 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  343 

injury,  she  was  sent  to  Port  Royal  in  charge  of  Act 
ing  Master  J.  B.  Rodgers,  of  the  Restless,  for  repairs 
before  going  North. 

She  proceeds  to  New  York  to-day  under  charge 
of  the  acting  master,  who  will  deliver  to  you  this 
communication  and  the  papers  of  the  prize  (which  were 
all  that  were  found  on  board),  and  will  furnish  the 
necessary  evidence. 

The  chief  mate,  Hines  (the  captain  having  escaped, 
as  above  mentioned),  two  assistant  engineers,  and  eleven 
of  the  crew,  go  North  in  her.  The  rest  of  the  officers 
and  crew  were  sent  to  New  York  a  few  days  ago  in 
the  United  States  ship  Florida. 

Eight  of  the  prize  crew  continue  to  do  duty  as 
firemen. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  loth,  1862. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  E.  CONROY,  Commanding 
United  States  Bark  Restless: 

SIR:  —  I  take  great  pleasure  in  acknowledging 
the  receipt  of  your  communications  referring  to  the 
capture  of  the  steamers  Scotia  and  Anglia. 

Both  these  vessels  I  sent  to  New  York  for  ad 
judication.  The  engineers  of  the  Scotia  were  paid  for 
.bringing  the  steamer  to  this  port ;  but  they  subse 
quently  refused  to  do  duty  in  taking  her  to  New  York. 

I  must  also  acknowledge  your  communication  of 

,  giving  a  list  of  vessels  taken  and  destroyed  by 

the  Restless,  under  your  command;  a  list  which  suffi- 


344  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

ciently  evidences   the  activity  and  energy  ever  exhibited 
by  you. 

Your  letter  of  the  5th  inst.,  enclosing  the  report 
of  Acting  Master's  Mate  J.  J.  Russell,  detailing  the 
circumstances  of  the  capture  of  the  postman  and  the 
mail-bags,  has  been  duly  received.  This  officer  cer 
tainly  deserves  great  credit  for  the  manner  in  which 
he  carried  out  your  orders ;  and  I  have  shown  my 
appreciation  of  his  zeal  by  appointing  him  an  acting 
ensign  from  the  5th  of  November.  The  two  contra 
bands  who  went  with  him  are  also,  I  think,  deserv 
ing  of  an  advanced  rate. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  nth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  The  Department  is  aware  that  in  the  ex 
pedition  of  the  St.  John's,  in  October  last,  the  army 
and  navy  forces  combined  captured  the  rebel  steamer 
Governor  Milton.  Like  the  Darlington  and  Planter, 
she  uses  wood  for  fuel,  and  is  therefore  of  very  little 
use  to  the  navy. 

General  Brannan  desired  to  employ  her  for  the 
army ;  and  asked  that  I  would  have  her  carefully 
appraised. 

This  was  done  by  a  board  of  efficient  officers, 
and  I  enclose  this  report,  in  which  she  was  valued, 
at  two  thousand  dollars. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  345 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  nth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  the  capture  of  the  postman,  with  two  mail-bags, 
on  the  route  between  Charleston  and  the  Santee, 
through  the  energy  and  enterprise  of  Acting  Volun 
teer  Lieutenant  E.  Conroy,  of  the  United  States  barque 
Restless. 

Lieutenant  Conroy  having  received  information  as 
to  the  time  when  the  carrier  of  the  mails  would  pass, 
and  considering  that  valuable  documents  might  be  in 
tercepted,  sent  Acting  Master's  Mate  Jas.  J.  Russell, 
with  two  contrabands,  on  shore  in  a  small  boat. 

Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  the  report  of  that  officer 
of  the  circumstances  of  the  capture,  in  which  he  seems 
to  have  displayed  discretion  as  well  as  determination; 
and  being  well  recommended  in  other  respects,  I  have 
made  him  an  acting  ensign,  subject  to  the  approval 
of  the  Department. 

The  mail-bags  contained  a  number  of  letters  and 
a  few  papers;  of  the  former,  few  were  of  any  interest, 
and  none  conveyed  information  of  particular  value  to  us. 

I  have  enclosed  them  all  to  the  Department  in 
two  separate  envelopes ;  one  containing  the  only  letters 
which  I  consider  of  interest. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


346  OFFICIAL  D2SPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  i2th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  report  another  of  my  steamers 
broken  down,  the  Wamsutta.  I  send  her  to  New 
York. 

Her  engine  is  so  much  in  need  of  repair  which 
can  not  be  made  here,  that  she  must  be  towed  North  ; 
and  as  the  Connecticut  has  just  arrived  from  the 
Gulf,  I  have  directed  Lieutenant  Commander  Haxton 
to  take  her  in  tow. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  i2th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  have  received  a  report  from  Commander 
M.  Woodhull,  senior  officer  in  St.  John's,  in  which, 
after  saying  that  everything  was  quiet,  he  refers  to 
numerous  salt  works  along  the  coast,  south  of  the  St. 
John's,  which  could  be  destroyed  by  light-draft  vessels. 

I  am  desirous  to  have  the  wishes  of  the  Depart 
ment  on  this  subject  before  taking  action. 

I  may  add  that  large  quantities  of  excellent  tim 
ber,  suitable  for  ships'  decks,  were  discovered  in  Nas 
sau  river  by  Lieutenant  Snell,  of  the  Hale,  who  also 
captured  a  small  pilot  schooner  in  the  same  locality. 
By  chartering  empty  coal  vessels  much  of  this  timber 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  347 

could  be  removed ;  it  will,  however,  have  to  be  done 
by  the  aid  of  gunboats,  but  by  the  breaking  down  of 
the  Hale,  Patroon,  Wamsutta,  and  Western  World,  I 
am  much  crippled  for  vessels  of  light  draft. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  I3th,  1862. 

Lieutenant  A.  T.  SNELL,  United  States  Ship 
E.  B.  Hale: 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  to  Philadelphia  with  the 
steamer  E.  B.  Hale,  under  your  command,  and  report 
to  Commodore  Pendergrast,  commandant  of  the  naval 
station,  and  through  him  to  the  Honorable  Secretary 
of  the  Navy. 

You  will  prepare  such  statements  of  the  most 
pressing  repairs  and  wants  required  for  the  Hale,  as 
may  facilitate  the  examination  of  the  surveying  offi 
cers,  and  expedite  her  refitment. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  to  express  my 
warm  commendation  of  your  whole  conduct  on  this 
-station,  whether  while  serving  on  the  Pawnee,  in  her 
varied  and  effective  service,  or  as  the  commander  of 
the  Hale,  in  important  operations  on  the  coast  of 
Florida,  ending,  as  they  did,  by  entering  the  Nassau 
Inlet  and  capturing  the  rebel  schooner  Wave  within 
a  few  days. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


348  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  ijth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR: — The  steamer  E.  B.  Hale  must  be  sent 
North  to  be  coppered.  She  has  been  a  most  useful 
vessel  on  this  station,  and  as  she  requires  little  else,  I 
would  thank  the  Department  to  have  her  sent  back  in 
the  least  possible  time,  for  she  is  much  wanted.  I 
am  only  induced  to  send  her  from  an  apprehension 
that  if  she  grounded,  we  might  lose  her,  owing  to  the 
condition  of  her  bottom,  together  with  the  danger  of 
sending  her  North  at  a  later  season. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  Hth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  the  United  States  ship  E.  B.  Hale,  on  the  4th 
inst.,  in  the  Nassau  river,  captured  the  schooner  Wave, 
loaded  with  turpentine  and  cotton.  No  one  was  found 
on  board.  No  papers. 

I  have  transhipped  her  cargo  (the  Wave  being  too 
small  to  send  North),  to  the  schooner  Governor  Burton, 
bound  to  Philadelphia. 

May  I  request  the  Department  to  direct  the  navy 
agent  at  Philadelphia  to  pay  the  freight  on  the  same,  in 
accordance  with  the  terms  of  the  enclosed  bill  of  lading. 

Enclosed  is  a  muster  roll  of  the  officers  and  crew 
of  the  E.  B.  Hale. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  349 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  i4th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  On  my  return  from  the  North  I  found  a 
dispatch  from  the  Department,  of  the  Qth  of  October, 
relating  to  two  Creole  boys,  who  were  reported  to 
have  been  kidnapped  off  the  Bahamas,  in  April,  1861, 
by  the  captain  of  an  American  barque  called  the 

Hebe.       Their    names    were    John    Stirrup    and   

Edwards;    the   former   nineteen  or  twenty  years    of  age. 

The  cases  alluded  to  above  had  come  to  my 
knowledge  before.  The  two  boys  were  kidnapped  from 
Nassau  by  a  rebel  merchant  captain,  who  had  inveigled 
two  other  blacks  on  board  of  his  vessel,  but  who  jumped 
overboard  and  swam  to  the  shore.  The  two  referred 
to  were  sold  as  slaves,  at  Fernandina ;  and  when  that 
place  was  captured  by  our  forces,  they  were  found  on 
board  the  rebel  steamer  Darlington,  employed  in  the 
military  service  of  the  rebel  government.  Of  course 
they  were  free  from  that  hour ;  and,  with  the  rest  of 
the  colored  crew,  entered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  under  wages,  and  served  in  the  Darlington  until 
that  vessel  was  transferred  to  the  army,  when  they  were 
discharged. 

At  present  I  cannot  say  where  the  parties  referred 
to  are,  but  my  impression  is  that  they  are  in  the 
employ  of  Brigadier -General  Saxton,  the  military  gov 
ernor  of  South  Carolina. 

I  may  add,  in  closing,  that  they  have  never  ex 
pressed  any  desire  to  be  sent  to  Nassau  or  to  the 
North. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


350  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  isth,  1862. 

Captain  S.  W.  GODON,  United  States  Ship 
Powhatan : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  please  proceed,  when  ready,  with 
the  Powhatan,  under  your  command,  off  Charleston, 
and  resume  the  direction  of  the  blockade  of  that  im 
portant  point,  as  senior  officer. 

Your  full  experience  of  this  duty  leaves  me  no 
special  instructions  to  give.  It  is  left  to  your  judg 
ment  to  have  two  vessels  under  way,  outside  of  your 
line,  or  no.t  I  would  recommend  in  the  former  case 
some  particular  understanding  as  to  the  signals  to  be 
made  by  such  vessels  to  those  inside. 

Wishing  you  good  weather,  I  am  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  isth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
positions  of  the  blockading  vessels  of  this  squadron : 

At    Georgetown,  steamer   Sebago. 

Off  Bull's  Bay,  United  States  barque    Restless. 

Off  Charleston,  steamers  Powhatan,  Housatonic, 
Mercedita,  South  Carolina,  Quaker  City,  Keystone  State, 
Bienville,  Flag,  Marblehead,  Flambeau,  Ottawa,  Seneca, 
Memphis,  and  schooners  G.  W.  Blunt  and  Para. 

In    Stono   river,  United    States  steamer  Isaac  Smith. 

In    North    Edisto,    United    States   steamer   Unadilla. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  351 

In  St.  Helena  Sound,  United  States  steamer  Nor 
wich,  and  United  States  ship  Shepherd  Knapp. 

In  Wassaw  Sound,  United  States  steamer  Cone- 
maugh. 

In  Ossebaw  Sound,  steamers  Wissahickon,  Dawn, 
and  mortar  schooner  C.  P.  Williams. 

In  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  and  St.  Simon's,  steamers 
Paul  Jones,  Potomska,  Madgie,  and  United  States 
barque  Braziliera. 

In   St.  Andrew's,  United  States   barque  Midnight. 

At   Fernandina,  United    States    ship    Mohawk. 

In    St.  John's    river,  steamers    Cimerone  and    Uncas. 

In  Port  Royal  (most  of  which  are  undergoing  re 
pairs  or  taking  in  supplies),  Wabash,  Canandaigua,  Van- 
dalia,  Water  Witch,  Vermont,  Hale,  Fernandina,  Hope, 
Petit,  Norfolk  packet  (mortar  schooner),  and  Rescue. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  lyth,  1862. 

Commander  M.  B.  WOOLSEY,  United  States  Ship 
Vandalia : 

SIR:  —  You  will  proceed  with  the  Vandalia,  under 
your  command,  when  ready  for  sea,  and  cruise  on  the 
coast,  on  the  outside  blockade,  in  reference  to  which 
you  have  the  official  instructions,  and  give  general 
protection  to  our  commerce. 

You  are  advised  that  I  have  a  further  object  in 
sending  out  the  Vandalia:  that  she  may  be  a  school 
of  practice  for  the  graduating  class  of  midshipmen, 
now  promoted  in  this  squadron,  and  others  who  have 


352  OFFICIA  L  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

had   very   limited    opportunities    of    seeing    sea    service. 
You   will   aid    in   this    object  all  in  your  power,  return 
ing   to    this   port   in   two  weeks;    say    1st  of  December. 
You    may   call    off   the   port   within  signal  distance, 
if   it   becomes   convenient   to   do   so. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  i8th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  supply  an  omission  in 
my  dispatch  to  the  Department  of  the  I4th  inst,  re 
ferring  to  the  two  negroes,  Edwards  and  Stirrup. 

My  attention  was  called  in  June  last  by  Judge 
Burritt,  of  Florida,  to  the  kidnapper  Clark,  the  rebel 
merchant  captain,  and  I  accordingly  addressed  the  fol 
lowing  letter  to  Lieutenant  Commanding  A.  G.  Clary, 
who,  with  the  Dawn,  was  stationed  at  Fernandina: 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  i9th,  1862. 

SIR  :  —  The  enclosed  interesting  memorandum  is  from  Judge 
Burritt,  of  Jacksonville,  Florida. 

You  will  perceive  the  man  Clark  is  represented  to  be  in 
Fernandina.  If  this  should  be  so,  I  wish  this  man  arrested  and 
placed  in  security  until  further  orders,  but  not  in  irons. 

You  will,  of  course,  address  yourself  to  the  military  author 
ity  on  shore  to  effect  this,  and  say  to  Colonel  Rich  that  since 
getting  the  within  information  I  have  not  had  time  to  procure 
from  General  Hunter  the  order  in  due  form,  but  I  will  be 
responsible,  if  need  be,  for  any  act  of  his  in  the  premises. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Flag  Officer. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  353 

To    which    I    received    the   following    reply: 

United  States  Gunboat  Dawn, 

Fernandina,  Fla.,  June  2jth,  1862. 

SIR:  —  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the 
1 9th  inst.,  enclosing  a  statement  in  reference  to  the  free  negro, 
John  Stirrup,  and  his  kidnapper,  Fred.  Clark,  and  your  orders 
thereupon. 

I  have  only  to  state  in  reply  that  this  man  Clark  is  not 
in  Fernandina,  nor  has  he  resided  here  since  its  occupation  by 
the  Federal  troops ;  so  far  as  we  can  ascertain,  he  is  with  the 
rebels  on  the  main,  —  one  of  the  guerrilla  party,  beyond  our 
reach  at  present. 

Very   respectfully, 

A.  G.  CLARY, 
Lieutenant  Commanding,  U.  S.  Navy. 

Enclosed  is  also  a  copy  of  the  memorandum  of 
Judge  Burritt. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Dy  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  i8th,  1862. 

United   States   Prize   Commissioners, 
New  York : 

GENTLEMEN  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the 
capture  of  the  British  steam  propeller  Ouachita,  on  the 
I4th  of  October,  by  the  United  States  steamer  Mem 
phis,  on  her  way  to  join  this  squadron.  The  circum 
stances  attending  the  capture  are  as  follows :  — 

On  the  morning  of  the  I4th  of  October,  at  day 
light,  latitude  30°  3'  north,  and  longitude  77°  26'  west, 
a  steamer  was  discovered  standing  to  the  westward. 
The  Memphis  was  headed  for  her  immediately;  where 
upon  the  stranger  altered  her  course,  and  stood  off 
23 


354  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

to  the  eastward.  Chase  was  made,  all  sail  being  put 
upon  the  Memphis.  The  steamer  altered  her  course 
a  point  or  two  several  times,  evidently  trying  her  most 
favorable  sailing  point ;  finally  she  settled  on  dead 
before  the  wind,  and  hoisted  a  large  square  -  sail  yard, 
setting  the  sail.  From  6.30  a.  m.  until  3.30  p.  m., 
the  chase  continued ;  during  this  period  the  Memphis 
passed  a  large  box  or  bale  floating  in  the  wake  of 
the  steamer.  Finding  that  she  was  probably  in  range 
of  the  rifled  gun,  a  shot  was  fired  off  her  port  side ; 
to  this  no  attention  was  paid.  In  the  course  of  a 
few  minutes  another  was  fired  on  her  starboard  hand, 
and  another  interval  passed,  somewhat  shorter  than  the 
first,  when  she  hove  to,  and  hoisted  an  English  ensign. 

When  boarded,  the  only  papers  found  on  board 
were  a  clearance,  certificate  of  registry,  muster-roll,  and 
log  -  book ;  and  in  addition,  in  the  captain's  desk,  two 
letters  and  a  memorandum ;  all  of  which  will  be  de 
livered  to  you  by  Acting  Master  Grit,  who  has  charge 
of  the  prize. 

By  the  above  papers  her  cargo  is  said  to  have 
consisted  of  two  hundred  and  forty-two  cases  of  mer 
chandise  ;  but  none  were  found  on  board.  One  of 
the  crew,  Edward  Young,  stated  to  Acting  Lieutenant 
Watmough  and  others,  that,  "  At  nine  a.  m.  of  the  day 
we  were  caught,  we  got  orders  to  throw  overboard 
the  cargo ;  and  we  were  at  work  until  two  p.  m. 
throwing  it  overboard.  The  cargo  consisted  mainly  of 
cases  from  five  to  six  feet  long,  fitted  with  rope  beckets, 
and  weighing  from  three  to  four  hundred-weight."  Also, 
that  "after  you  had  fired  the  first  shot  we  had  put 
rosin  or  varnish  into  the  furnaces,  which  caused  the 
boilers  to  leak.  We  were  kept  supplied  with  liquor,  and 
were  so  drunk  we  hardly  knew  what  we  were  doing." 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  355 

The  boarding  officer  found  most  of  the  crew  very 
drunk. 

The  log  shows  the  general  course  to  have  been 
westward,  —  off  a  course  for  her  pretended  port  of  des 
tination,  Havana. 

The  prize  being  out  of  coal,  and  her  boilers 
strained,  the  Memphis  took  her  in  tow  and  brought 
her  to  Port  Royal.  Her  machinery  has  been  repaired, 
and  I  now  send  her  to  New  York  for  adjudication. 

The  mate,  Hiram  Parrish,  the  carpenter,  George 
Delalze,  the  steward,  David  Whetham,  and  the  cook, 
Thomas  Burgess,  of  the  prize,  go  home  in  her.  The 
master  and  the  rest  of  the  crew  were  sent  on  the 
1 2th  inst.  to  New  York,  in  the  Wamsutta.  The  master 
was  not  retained  to  go  in  the  prize,  as  it  would  not 
have  been  safe  to  permit  him  to  do  so  unless  placed 
in  irons. 

Acting  Master's    Mate  John  M.  Moore,  of  the  Mem 
phis,    goes    home    in    the    Ouachita,    and    will   give   all 
necessary   evidence    in    reference   to   her   capture. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  2oth,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commander  A.  R.  HUGHES,  United  States 
Ship  Mohawk: 

SIR  :  —  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  communication 
of  the  nth  inst.,  giving  some  details  of  an  expedi 
tion  to  St.  Mary's,  though  I  could  not  quite  make 
out  from  your  dispatch  the  object  of  it. 

In    reference    to    the    destruction    of   the    saw-mill, 


356  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

as  mentioned  by  you,  it  is  my  desire  to  avoid  de 
stroying  private  property,  unless  used  for  pickets  or 
guard  stations,  and  other  military  purposes.  Of  course, 
if  fired  upon  from  any  place,  it  is  your  duty,  if  pos 
sible,  to  destroy  it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  2oth,  1862. 

Commander  M.  WOODHULL,  United  States  Ship 
Cimerone,  St.  John's : 

SIR  :  —  I  take  pleasure  in  acknowledging  your  sev 
eral  communications  of  November  3d,  /th,  November 
not  dated,  and  November  I4th,  reporting  the  condition 
of  things  in  St.  John's  river,  the  expedition  to  Was- 
saw  river  by  the  Hale,  and  referring  to  the  salt  works 
south  of  St.  John's,  etc.,  and  commend  your  zeal  and 
energy. 

I  have  called  the  attention  of  the  Department,  in 
consequence  of  your  letters,  to  the  matter  of  destruc 
tion  of  salt  works,  and  await  instructions. 

By  the  last  mail  the  Department  has  informed 
me  that  the  Cimerone  is  to  be  permanently  attached 
to  this  squadron.  As  soon  as  I  can  relieve  you,  the 
Cimerone  will  return  to  Port  Royal  for  such  repairs 
as  our  means  will  enable  us  to  make. 

The  Water  Witch  has  orders  to  supply  you  with 
all  the  provisions  she  can  spare. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  357 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  2oth,  1862. 

Commander  CHAS.  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Ship 
Paul  Jones,  St.  Simon's: 

SIR  :  —  I  take  great  pleasure  in  acknowledging  your 
report  of  the  movements  of  gunboats  placed  under 
your  command  in  the  Pocotaligo  expedition. 

I  forwarded  it  to  the  Department  immediately, 
with  a  dispatch. 

I  also  take  pleasure  in  enclosing  an  extract  from 
Brigadier -General  Brannan's  report,  which  he  forwarded 
to  me  previous  to  its  publication,  a  copy  of  his  letter, 
and  my  reply. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  25th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  that  on  the  night  of  the  5th  inst.  a  steamer 
attempted  to  run  the  blockade  of  Charleston  by  Maffitt's 
channel.  She  was  first  discovered  by  the  Blunt,  about 
ten  minutes  after  ten,  and  was  fired  upon  by  that  ves 
sel,  whose  commanding  officer  at  the  same  time  gave 
the  usual  signal  to  the  fleet.  The  Flag,  hearing  the 
guns  and  seeing  the  signal,  stood  in  the  direction  in 
dicated,  and  got  sight  of  the  steamer,  and  fired  one 
shot  at  her,  when  she  appeared  to  run  seaward ;  but 


358  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

a  dense  fog  just  at  moment  unfortunately  shut  her  out 
from  view.  The  Seneca,  aroused  by  the  previous  signal, 
now  also  perceived  the  steamer  and  fired  her  rifled  gun, 
when  she  turned  short  round  and  steered  to  the  east 
ward,  immediately  after  which,  owing  to  the  fog,  she 
was  lost  sight  of. 

On  the  night  of  the  6th  inst.  a  steamer  again  at 
tempted  to  run  the  blockade  by  the  same  entrance, 
and  was  again  discovered  by  the  Blunt,  which  vessel 
she  approached  within  three  hundred  yards,  when  a 
shell  from  the  Blunt  struck  her,  exploding  on  board. 
The  steamer  immediately  turned  to  the  northward  and 
westward,  and  apparently  ran  aground  on  the  shoal  off 
Dewes  Inlet,  where,  however,  she  remained  for  only  a  few 
minutes,  in  which  time  Acting  Master  Beers,  the  com 
manding  officer  of  the  Blunt,  fired  three  more  shells  at 
her,  sending  also  a  boat  to  board  her;  but  she  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  off,  and  steering  seaward,  disap 
peared  in  the  darkness.  The  report  of  Acting  Master 
Beers  described  her  as  a  long,  low  side -wheel  steamer, 
about  700  tons,  without  spars. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  steamer  last 
spoken  of  was  the  same  that  attempted  to  enter  the 
previous  night,  on  both  of  which  occasions  she  was 
foiled,  and  the  impression  is  that  she  has  returned  to 
Nassau,  disabled. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.    F.    Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.       .  359 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  28th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  call  the  attention  of 
the  Department  to  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  ad 
dressed  to  Commander  Corbin,  of  this  ship. 

The  case  which  elicited  Commander  Corbin's  letter 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  was  that  of  a  person 
who  messed  in  the  steerage  of  the  Wabash,  and  not  in 
the  wardroom. 

A  commanding  officer  is  frequently  obliged  to  take 
on  board  his  ship  not  only  prisoners  and  passengers 
from  captured  vessels,  but  prisoners  taken  in  naval  ex 
peditions  on  shore,  rebel  refugees  seeking  shelter  from 
the  enemy,  and,  under  certain  exigencies  of  the  service, 
officers  of  the  army. 

In  all  these  cases  he  is  embarrassed  in  assigning 
such  parties  to  the  officers'  messes,  inasmuch  as  the 
gentlemen  composing  these  messes  .supply  their  tables 
from  their  own  private  purses. 

I  would  therefore  respectfully  submit  that  the 
order  of  the  Department  be  extended  so  as  to  pro 
vide  that  in  all  cases  where  persons  not  in  the  navy 
are,  from  the  necessities  of  the  service,  received  on  board 
of  ships -of -war,  and  assigned  by  the  commanding  offi 
cers  to  any  of  the  officers'  messes,  such  mess  be  al 
lowed  for  the  subsistence  of  each  person  so  assigned, 
as  is  the  amount  allowed  for  Atlantic  coast  pilots. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


360  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  2ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  inform  the  Department  that  on 
the  Vandalia  being  released  from  guarding  the  quar 
antine  station  in  this  harbor,  I  had  her  prepared  for 
sea,  and  have  sent  her  on  an  outside  blockading 
cruise  between  this  coast  and  the  Gulf  Stream. 

I  placed  on  board  of  her  all  the  graduates  of  the 
Academy  in  the  squadron  that  I  could  spare  for  the 
moment,  as  they  have  seen  so  little  sea  service;  they 
having,  to  their  credit,  expressed  the  most  earnest  de 
sire  to  be  permitted  to  avail  themselves  of  such  means 
of  practical  instruction. 

I  have  directed  Commander  Woolsey  to  keep  ma 
noeuvring  the  ship,  and  to  make  the  best  use  of  the 
brief  period  allotted  to  carry  out  this  object.  I  expect 
her  back  on  December  1st. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  23d,  1862. 

Commander  REED  WERDEN,  United  States  Ship 
Conemaugh : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  seen  to-day  the  two  contrabands 
brought  up  by  the  Darlington.  I  learn  the  one  who 
knows  about  the  rebel  ram  or  iron- clad  Fingal  you 
put  on  board  the  Water  Witch,  which  steamer  I  hope 
will  be  here  in  a  day  or  two ;  but  I  avail  myself  of 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DUPONT.  361 

this  opportunity  to  say  that  I  consider  the  Conemaugh, 
formidable  as  she  is,  no  match  for  an  iron-clad  vessel 
roofed  over. 

If  therefore  she  should  attempt  to  come  down  to 
Wassaw,  by  Wilmington  river,  etc.,  to  attack  you,  I 
would  recommend  your  getting  to  sea,  where,  if  she 
followed  you,  though  still  at  great  disadvantage,  you 
could  have  room  to  manage  your  vessel  and  to  avail 
yourself  of  her  speed. 

I  recommend  therefore  that  you  have  the  Wassaw 
bar  carefully  buoyed,  and  I  send  Acting  Master  Mattair 
(pilot)  to  assist  you  in  this  matter. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

JRear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal-  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  25th,  1862. 

J.   LENTHAL,  Chief  Bureau  of  Construction  and  Repair, 
Washington : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  your  communication  of  the 
1 3th  inst,  in  reference  to  the  Cimerone;  and  here 
with  enclose  a  survey  held  on  that  steamer,  on  the 
1 3th  of  September,  just  after  her  arrival  here,  on  her 
way  to  join  Acting  Rear  Admiral  Wilkes'  squadron. 

The  vessel  not  being  in  a  condition  to  carry  out 
her  original  orders,  and  having  use  for  her  powerful 
armament  in  the  St.  John's  river,  I  sent  her  there, 
after  some  repairs  which  were  absolutely  necessary  to 
enable  her  even  to  perform  inside  blockade  duty,  where 
she  has  since  remained. 

You  will  perceive,  by  the  report  of  the  board, 
that  her  machinery  was  in  good  running  order,  though 


362  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

its  efficiency  might  be  affected  by  the  working  and 
straining  of  the  parts  of  the  vessel  to  which  it  was 
attached. 

On  the  1 6th  of  October,  during  my  absence  North, 
Commander  Woodhull,  in  a  dispatch  to  Captain  Godon, 
senior  officer,  wrote  as  follows : 

"Since  she  has  been  in  this  locality  she  has  very 
much  increased  her  disability ;  the  heavy  firing  and 
long  continued  use  of  her  guns  have  materially  shaken 
her,  and  now  she  shows  her  weakness  much  more 
than  ever  before. 

"  The  engine  frame  has  considerably  more  spread, 
and  the  same  may  be  said  of  her  hull.  This  fact 
is  no  longer  a  surmise,  but  its  actuality  is  evident  by 
the  loosening  of  all  her  carlins  and  ledges  amidships." 

On  the  3d  inst.,  in  a  communication  to  me,  he 
says,  *'  The  engines  of  the  Cimerone  are  daily  becom 
ing  less  trustworthy,  and  the  critical  condition  of  the 
frame  is  more  manifest.  I  really  think  she  should 
have  the  proper  repairs  made  without  further  delay. 
Also,  the  heavy  and  long  continued  firing  of  guns, 
in  our  late  operations  at  St.  John's  Bluff,  has  increased 
her  inherent  weakness  of  hull.  She  requires  and  ought 
to  be  strengthened  thoroughly,  and  her  rudder  enlarged 
and  altered,  to  make  her  an  efficient  vessel." 

In  accordance  with  your  request  I  will,  as  soon 
as  the  Cimerone  returns  to  Port  Royal,  forward  a 
special  report  from  the  chief  engineer  in  regard  to 
the  condition  of  her  machinery. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  363 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  26th,  1862. 

Brigadier  -  General  R.  SAXTON, 

Beaufort,  South  Carolina: 

GENERAL  :  —  I  beg  to  call  your  attention  to  the 
colonies  in  the  Department  of  the  South. 

There  are  at  present  sixty  contrabands  on  North 
Island,  near  Georgetown. 

There  are  nearly  one  hundred  colonists  on  an 
island  in  the  St.  John's  river,  under  the  protection  of 
our  gunboats,  but  of  this  number  there  are  a  good 
many  white  persons,  refugees.  Commander  Woodhull, 
of  the  Cimerone,  in  his  last  communication,  writes  as 
follows :  — 

"  The  colony  at  Pilot  Town  now  contains  nearly 
one  hundred  men,  women,  and  children,  white  and 
black,  and  the  number  is  gradually  on  the  increase. 
Every  fresh  arrival  brings  the  information  that  desertions 
are  of  daily  occurrence  among  the  Florida  troops. 

"  As  you  are  aware,  there  are  no  means  of  sup 
port  for  the  people  on  the  island  save  what  is  obtained 
from  the  vessels  in  the  river,  and  I  am  consequently 
compelled  to  furnish  food  to  them." 

These  colonists  are  all  much  in  want  of  food  and 
clothing,  the  latter  of  which  it  is  entirely  out  of  my 
power  to  supply.  I  have  .been  doing  the  former  out 
of  my  limited  means  from  the  gunboats.  These  poor 
people  cannot  be  allowed  to  starve.  I  should  be  glad 
to  hear  from  you  in  reference  to  this  matter  at  your 
earliest  convenience. 

I    am,  General,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


364  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  28th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  call  the  attention  of 
the  Department  to  the  case  of  Samuel  Burrows. 

He  was  taken  on  board  the  prize  steamer  Scotia, 
and  acknowledges  that  he  is  a  Charleston  pilot.  I 
send  him  to  New  York  in  the  Courier. 

He  has  given  the  enclosed  parole  of  honor,  and 
I  am  free  to  say  that  he  has  favorably  impressed  me. 

I  have  written  to  Rear  Admiral  Paulding  to  detain 
him,  as  well  as  the  persons  referred  to  in  my  dis 
patch  of  this  date,  taken  on  board  the  prize  schooner 
Annie  Dees,  until  further  orders  from  the  Department. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  28th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  capture  of 
the  rebel  schooner  Annie  Dees,  by  the  United  States 
gunboat  Seneca,  on  the  evening  of  the  /th  inst.,  at 
tempting  to  run  the  blockade  out  of  Charleston. 

No  papers  were  found  on  board.  The  master, 
Thomas  Bennett,  acknowledges  that  he  threw  them 
overboard  in  obedience  to  orders  from  the  owners  in 
Charleston. 

The  schooner,  being  considered  unseaworthy,  was 
sent  to  this  port.  I  ordered  a  survey  upon  her,  and 
herewith  enclose  the  report,  wherein  the  schooner  is 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  365 

declared  unfit  to  proceed  North,  and  her  value  ap 
praised  at  $500.  Her  cargo,  consisting  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty -five  barrels  of  turpentine  and  sixty -eight 
barrels  of  rosin,  has  been  transhipped  to  the  United 
States  store-ship  Courier,  which  sails  to-morrow  for 
New  York. 

The  master  and  crew  go  in  the  Courier,  as  also 
three  persons,  viz.,  John  M.  Murrey,  James  Egal  (or 
Egan),  and  Arthur  Erving  (or  Ervin),  calling  themselves 
passengers. 

The  three  persons  last  named,  as  also  one  of  the 
crew,  viz.,  William  Lamberton,  who  were  sent  to  this 
port  in  the  Housatonic,  are  suspected,  from  their  con 
versation  when  on  board  of  that  -vessel,  of  being 
Charleston  pilots.  Pencil  sketches  of  the  coast  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Lawford's  channel  were  found  in 
pocket-books  belonging  to  some  of  these  men. 

I  recommend,  for  reasons  previously  stated,  that 
these  men  be  closely  scrutinized,  and  if  necessary 
confined. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.    F.    Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  ist,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commanding  W.  D.  WHITING,  United  States 
Ship   Ottawa : 

SIR:  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  Ottawa, 
under  your  command,  to  Stono,  and  take  charge  of 
those  waters. 

You  will  make  such  reconnoissance  as  will  enable 
you  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  rebel  batteries, 


366  OPF1C1AL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

without  however  exposing  your  vessels  to  unnecessary 
risk.  I  desire  particularly  to  know  whether  any  guns 
have  been  put  in  position  below  Fort  Pemberton. 

Acting  Lieutenant  Conover,  of  the  Isaac  Smith, 
who  has  been  in  Stono  for  some  time,  will  be  able 
to  give  you  valuable  information. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  Dec.  ist,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
positions  of  the  blockading  vessels  of  this  squadron: — 

At    Georgetown,  United   States   steamer   Sebago. 

Off   Bull's    Bay,  United   States   barque    Restless. 

Off  Charleston,  United  States  steamers  Powhatan, 
Canandaigua,  Mercedita,  South  Carolina,  Quaker  City, 
Keystone  State,  Bienville,  Norwich,  Marblehead,  Huron, 
Flambeau,  Memphis,  and  Stettin,  and  schooners  G.  W. 
Blunt  and  Para. 

Stono  Inlet,  United  States  gunboats  Ottawa,  Seneca, 
and  Isaac  Smith. 

North    Edisto,  United   States   gunboat  Unadilla. 

St.  Helena  Sound,  United  States  barque  Fernandina. 

Wassaw    Inlet,  United   States   steamer  Conemaugh. 

Ossebaw  Sound,  United  States  steamers  Wissahickon 
and  Dawn,  and  mortar  schooner  C.  P.  Williams. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  Doboy,  and  St. 
Simon's  Sounds,  United  States  steamers  Paul  Jones,  Po- 
tomska,  Madgie,  United  States  barque  Braziliera,  and 
mortar  schooner  Norfolk  Packet. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  367 

St.  Andrew's  Sound,  United  States  barque  Midnight. 

Fernandina,  United    States   steamer    Mohawk. 

St.  John's  river,  United  States  steamers  Cimerone 
and  Uncas. 

In  Port  Royal,  most  of  them  undergoing  repairs 
and  taking  in  supplies,  United  States  steamers  Wabash, 
Vermont,  Flag,  Housatonic,  E.  B.  Hale,  and  tugs  Pettit 
and  Rescue. 

The  United  States  steamer  Water  Witch  and  United 
States  schooner  Hope  are  used  as  dispatch  boats. 

The  United  States  coast  surveying  steamer  Bibb, 
which  arrived  here  on  the  2/th  day  of  November,  is 
engaged  in  buoying  the  harbors. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  2d,  1862. 

Commander  M.  B.  WOOLSEY,  United  States  Ship 
Vandalia : 

SIR  :  —  Having,  with  the  Vandalia,  under  your  com 
mand,  executed  successfully  my  orders  of  the  I7th  of 
November,  in  cruising  off  the  coast,  I  have  to  direct 
that  you  will  repeat  the  services  then  rendered,  re 
ceiving  on  board  such  officers  as  I  have  ordered  to 
report  to  you,  who  could  not  be  spared  for  the  first 
cruise. 

You  will  proceed  at  once  off  Charleston  and  re 
ceive  on  board  Lieutenant  Higginson,  from  the  Pow- 
hatan,  and  Acting  Master  Smith,  from  the  Flambeau, 
whose  orders  have  been  delivered  to  you,  returning 


368  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

these   two   gentlemen    to    their   respective    vessels  before 
returning   to    this   anchorage. 

You  will  remain  two  weeks,  not  longer,  and  com 
municate  with  this  port  from  outside,  when  you  may 
deem  fit. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  6th,  1862. 

Acting  Volunteer  Lieutenant  E.  CONROY,  late  of  United  States 
Barque  Restless  : 

SIR  :  —  In  my  several  reports  to  the  Honorable 
Secretary  of  the  Navy,  speaking  of  the  services  of  the 
Restless,  I  have  not  failed  to  notice  the  zeal,  intelli 
gence,  and  spirit  which  you  have  ever  manifested  in 
the  discharge  of  your  duties  as  her  commander,  and 
as  you  are  about  to  leave  the  squadron,  I  take  plea 
sure  in  expressing  the  same  to  yourself. 

You  have  doubtless  been  detached  for  the  pur 
pose  of  being  given  a  higher  command.  I  can  not 
better  convey  my  appreciation  of  your  services  as  an 
officer,  and  of  your  bearing  as  a  gentleman,  than  by 
saying  that  I  shall  be  much  pleased  if  you  should  be 
ordered  again  to  this  squadron. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  369 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Nov.  26th,  1862. 

Acting  Master  M.  DIGARD,  et  als.,  United  States 
Ship  Restless: 

GENTLEMEN  :  —  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the 
22d  of  November,  a  letter  which  has  caused  very 
much  surprise. 

I  should  have  thought,  notwithstanding  the  limited 
period  you  have  been  in  the  navy,  that  you  would 
have  acquired  ere  this  some  knowledge  of  its  organ 
ization  and  discipline. 

If  I  were  not  satisfied  that  you  have  erred  through 
ignorance,  I  should  detach  every  one  of  you,  and  re 
quest  your  dismissal  from  the  service.  What  right  have 
you  to  complain  of  the  detachment  of  your  com 
mander  if  the  Government  thinks  proper  to  order  him 
elsewhere?  You  were  not  granted  your  appointments 
to  serve  with  any  particular  officer  or  ship. 

You  further  state  that  you  cannot  "fully  appreciate 
another  commander,  no  matter  who  he  may  be."  I 
desire  to  give  you  timely  and  kindly  caution  on  this 
point,  for  if  I  hear  of  any  insubordination  springing 
from  the  spirit  of  this  remark,  I  shall  not  overlook  it. 

What  makes  your  letter  the  more  extraordinary  is 
that  three  out  of  the  six  signers  have  but  recently 
joined  the  Restless,  of  whom  Acting  Ensigns  Eason 
and  Hicks  and  Acting  Ensign  Russell  were  promoted 
by  me  in  this  squadron.  When  I  deem  it  necessary 
to  send  the  Restless  home  I  shall  do  so,  but  I  again 
caution  you,  with  no  unkind  feelings  towards  you,  but 
as  due  to  the  public  service,  that  if  I  hear  of  any 

24 


3/0  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

just    cause    of   complaint    from    your    new   commander, 
none  of   you   will   be   permitted   to   return   in   her. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

To  Acting  Master  M.  DIGARD,  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  J.  B.  CALKINS, 
Acting  Ensigns  H.  EASON,  C.  N.  HICKS,  and  J.  J.  RUSSELL,  and  Act 
ing  Master's  Mate  J.  W.  MACKIE,  United  States  Ship  Restless. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  8th,  1862. 

Acting  Master  M.  DIGARD,  et  als.,  United  States 
Ship  Restless  : 

GENTLEMEN:  —  I  have  received  your  joint  letter  of 
December  1st,  and  am  pleased  to  find  that  my  under 
standing  of  the  scope  and  import  of  your  previous 
communication  was  not  in  accordance  with  your  own 
meaning  and  intentions. 

So  far  as  the  commendation  of  your  late  com 
mander  went,  and  your  regret  at  his  leaving  the  Rest 
less,  I  deem  them  creditable  to  you  and  him,  and 
your  explanations  on  the  other  points  I  am  happy  to 
say  are  entirely  satisfactory. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  371 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  8th,  1862. 

Assistant  Acting  Surgeon  J.  B.  CALKINS,  United  States 
Ship  Restless: 

SIR  :  —  My  official  communication  to  the  officers 
of  the  Restless,  of  this  date,  in  reply  to  theirs  of  De 
cember  1st,  in  which  your  name  is  included,  accepts 
as  full  and  satisfactory  their  explanation  of  the  matter 
in  question. 

I  have  therefore  only  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  yours  of  ist  of  December,  and  express  my  com 
mendation  of  the  excellent  spirit  which  prompted  it. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  loth,  1862. 

J.  LENTHAL,  Chief  Bureau  of  Construction  and  Repair : 

SIR  :  —  The  ferry  -  boat  John  Adams  arrived  here 
yesterday  in  safety,  and  I  have  given  to  the  captain, 
H.  Cumminskey,  receipts  in  duplicate  in  the  following 
form  :  — 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  nth,  1862. 

I  hereby  state  that  the  ferry-boat  John  Adams  has  arrived 
safely  at  Port  Royal,  and  been  received  by  me  for  the  public 
service. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

By  the  terms  of  the  Bureau's  instructions  to  Com 
modore  Montgomery,  a  copy  of  which  he  sent  me,  the 


3/2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

vessel  was  to  be  delivered  in  complete  order  in  every 
respect  at  Port  Royal,  at  the  expense  and  risk  of  the 
owners. 

The  captain  claimed  that  she  was  purchased  as 
she  stood  for  $36,000,  and  presented  bills  to  the  amount 
of  $2,100  for  extras  or  equipments  necessary  to  make 
the  voyage  to  Port  Royal. 

I  at  first  refused  to  have  anything  to  do  with 
these  charges,  but  finally  concluded  to  keep  such  fix 
tures  and  other  articles  as  contributed  to  the  efficiency 
of  the  vessel,  nearly  all  of  which  would  have  to  be 
procured  by  us. 

These  amounted  to  $1,299.26,  and  I  have  sent 
copies  of  the  bills  in  the  enclosed  communication  to 
Commodore  Montgomery. 

It   is   for  the  Bureau  to  decide  upon  their  payment. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  loth,  1862. 

Rear  Admiral  W.  B.  SHUBRICK,  Chairman 
Light- House  Board : 

SIR  :  —  I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Light- 
House  Board  to  our  wants  on  this  coast. 

Holding  so  large  a  portion  of  it  by  inside  block 
ade,  the  sounds,  inlets,  and  rivers  where  they  exist, 
require  constant  intercommunication  with  the  squadron 
depot  at  Port  Royal. 

As  the  Bureau  is  aware,  the  bars  are  shallow,  the 
approaches  difficult  and  dangerous.  With  the  supply 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  373 

of  buoys  sent  out  last  winter,  we  did  the  best  we 
could,  through  the  assistance  of  Mr.  Boutelle,  assistant 
in  the  Coast  Survey,  in  placing  them  where  most 
wanted,  but  many  have  disappeared  and  require  re 
newing,  and  a  greater  number  are  necessary. 

I  respectfully  suggest  that  a  supply  should  be  sent 
out,  with  an  organized  buoy  tender. 

I  can  call  upon  Mr.  Boutelle,  who  is  ever  ready 
to  assist  us,  to  ascertain  the  points  to  be  buoyed,  and 
see  to  the  proper  placing  of  the  buoys,  but  I  can 
not  expect  that  he  should  perform  the  operation  of 
mooring  them  himself,  nor  is  his  vessel  suitable  for  the 
purpose. 

I  feel  it  my  duty  to  urge,  respectfully,  that  the 
board  should  extend  its  supervision  again  to  the  aids 
to  navigation  on  this  coast,  so  far  as  the  circumstances 
of  the  case  will  admit. 

I  report  in  another  communication  that  the  crew 
of  the  light-vessel  is  in  a  state  of  mutiny.  The  vessel 
is  also  short  of  oil.  I  need  hardly  say  to  the  board 
that  I  give  all  the  time  and  attention*  I  can  to  these 
matters,  but  they  are  not  in  a  satisfactory  state. 
I  am,  Admiral,  respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT. 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  loth,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  Enclosed  is  a  survey  on  the  United  States 
ship  Bienville,  in  consequence  of  which  I  am  reluctantly 
obliged  to  send  her  North,  there  being  no  means  of 
repairing  her  here. 


374  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

May  I   ask   the   Department  to  give   instructions  to 
have   the    Bienville   put    in   order   as   soon    as   possible, 
and   send   her  back   to   this    squadron. 
She   goes   to   New  York. 

She    is    the    most    important   of   all    my   ships   for 
blockading   duty. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  nth,  1862. 

Commander  M.  WOODHULL,  United  States  Ship 
Cimerone,  St.  John's : 

SIR:  —  Your  several  interesting  communications  of 
December  ist,  3d,  and  Qth  have  been  received  to-day  by 
the  Water  Witch. 

Your  course  in  reference  to  the  destruction  of 
boats  on  the  St.  John's,  under  the  present  circumstances, 
is  approved ;  they  were  doubtless  used  by  the  guer 
rillas  in  carrying  on  their  predatory  warfare,  and,  as 
such,  it  was  right  and  proper  to  destroy  them. 

I  have  read  carefully  your  dispatch  of  the  3d 
inst,  referring  to  the  treacherous  conduct  of  a  Mr. 
Benedict,  the  owner  of  the  Magnolia  Springs.  If  at  the 
time  of  the  occurrence  Acting  Master  Watson  had 
destroyed  the  property  of  this  man,  there  would  have 
been  no  ground  of  complaint,  as  his  base  conduct 
merited  punishment ;  but  as  there  is  a  possibility  that 
he  did  not  intentionally  betray  those  who  were  trying 
to  do  him  a  kindness,  I  would  not  at  the  present  time 
take  any  further  steps  in  the  destruction  of  his  prop 
erty. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  375 

I  am  dispatching  a  coal  vessel  to  Fernandina, 
from  which  you  can  supply  the  Cimerone  and  the 
Uncas  when  necessary. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  nth,  1862. 

Lieutenant  Commander  J.  S.  DAVIS,  United  States  Ship 
Wissahickon : 

SIR:  —  The  Water  Witch  arrived  to-day,  bringing 
Charles  Cook  and  Michael  Green.  The  former  I  shall 
probably  employ  as  a  pilot;  the  latter  will  be  sent 
North. 

I  have  considered  the  report  of  your  engineer, 
and  as  soon  as  possible  will  relieve  you  at  Ossebaw, 
so  that  the  necessary  repairs  can  be  made  to  your 
vessel. 

I  take  this  occasion  to  acknowledge  your  letters 
of  the  i  Qth  and  2Oth  of  November,  referring  to  an  en 
gagement  with  the  battery  at  Genesis  Point,  in  which 
the  Wissahickon  accidentally  received  a  shot,  tempor 
arily  disabling  her.  I  beg  leave  to  commend  your 
whole  course  in  the  matter,  particularly  in  concealing 
so  effectually  from  the  enemy  your  injuries.  Their 
official  accounts  make  no  mention  of  them. 

I  am  glad  to  learn  that  you  have  buoyed  the 
channel. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


376  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  i3th,  1862. 

J.  LENTHAL,  Chief  Bureau  of  Construction  and  Repair, 
Washington  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  pleasure  to  forward  to  the  Bu 
reau  the  survey  for  a  coal  depot  at  Bay  Point,  in 
this  harbor,  beautifully  executed  by  Mr.  C.  V.  Boutelle, 
Assistant  in  the  Coast  Survey,  on  this  station ;  also, 
to  enclose  a  copy  of  his  report  on  the  same. 

In  reference  to  this  report  I  have  a  suggestion  to 
make,  that  the  Bureau,  in  making  contracts  for  the 
wharf,  etc.,  will  give  as  little  lien  as  possible  on  the 
resources  of  the  squadron  to  assist  in  the  construction 
thereof,  as  all  our  means  and  appliances  are  stretched 
to  their  utmost  capacity  for  our  regular  work. 

The  screw  piles,  though  costing  more  at  first,  will 
save  the  procuring  and  transportation  of  the  longer 
wooden  ones,  and  soon  pay  for  the  excess  in  other 
ways. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  15th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Department 
of  the  arrival  here,  on  the  nth  inst.,  of  the  United  States 
gunboat  Commodore  McDonough,  Lieutenant  Command 
ing  George  Bacon. 

She  is  a  most  valuable  acquisition  to  this  squad 
ron. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  377 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  16,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
positions  of  the  blockading  vessels  of  this  squadron : — 

At   Georgetown,  United  States  ship  Sebago. 

Off  Bull's   Bay,  United   States   barque   Restless. 

Off  Charleston,  United  States  steamers  Powhatan, 
Canandaigua,  Housatonic,  Flag,  Flambeau,  Quaker  City, 
Keystone  State,  Marblehead,  Huron,  Memphis,  Stettin, 
and  schooners  G.  W.  Blunt  and  Para. 

Stono  Inlet,  United  States  steamers  Ottawa,  Seneca, 
and  Isaac  Smith. 

North    Edisto,  United   States   ship   South    Carolina. 

St.  Helena,  United   States   barque   Fernandina. 

Wassaw   Sound,  United  States   ship  Conemaugh. 

Ossebaw,  United  States  steamers  Wissahickon,  Dawn, 
and  schooner  C.  P.  Williams. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  Doboy,  and  St. 
Simon's  Sounds,  United  States  steamers  Paul  Jones,  Po- 
tomska,  Madgie,  barque  Braziliera,  and  schooner  Nor 
folk  Packet. 

St.  Andrew's,  United  States  barque    Midnight. 

Fernandina,  United   States   ship    Mohawk. 

St.  John's  River,  United  States  steamers  Cimerone 
and  Uncas. 

In  Port  Royal,  most  of  them  undergoing  repairs 
and  taking  in  supplies,  United  States  ship  Wabash, 
United  States  ship  Vermont,  United  States  steamers 
Mercedita,  Norwich,  Unadilla,  Commodore  McDonough, 
and  tugs  Dandelion,  Daffodil,  Pettit,  and  Rescue. 


378  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The   Water   Witch   and    Hope  are  used  as  dispatch 
boats.     The  Vandalia   is   out   on   the  outside  blockade. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  i6th,  1862. 

Acting  Master  W.  R.  BROWN,  United  States  Barque 
Restless : 

SIR:  —  I  have  received  your  interesting  report  of 
an  expedition  with  the  boats  of  the  Restless,  under 
your  command,  undertaken  to  destroy  certain  salt 
works  of  the  rebels  back  of  Harbor  creek. 

I  congratulate  you  on  your  success,  and  desire  to 
express  my  commendation  of  yourself,  and,  through  you, 
of  the  officers  and  men  who  took  part  in  the  affair. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  22d,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  report  the  arrival  yesterday  of 
the  barque  Kingfisher,  Acting  Master  Commanding 
Dutch. 

I  had  this  morning  to  sign  large  requisitions  from 
her  for  stores  in  the  various  departments,  canvas,  rig 
ging,  etc.,  and  although  she  left  Boston  this  month, 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  379 

the  paymaster   sent   in   requisitions  for  woolen   clothing, 
including   pea  jackets,  for  the  crew. 

I  think  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  a  vessel  direct 
from  the  navy  yard  should  have  to  be  supplied  im 
mediately  from  our  resources  here,  which  resources 
must  be  necessarily  limited.  Some  of  her  requirements 
we  are  unable  to  supply  in  any  degree. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  29th,  1862. 

Commander  M.  B.  WOOLSEY,  United  States  Ship 
Vandalia : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  your  very  interesting  report  of  the  22d  inst, 
of  the  cruise  of  the  Vandalia,  under  your  command, 
under  my  orders  of  the  i/th  of  November  and  the  2d 
of  December.  The  object  having  been,  while  carrying 
on  an  outside  line  of  blockade  on  the  coast,  to  give 
at  the  same  time  the  benefit  of  practical  experience  to 
the  young  officers  of  this  squadron  who  have  recently 
graduated  from  the  Naval  Academy,  I  desire  to  say 
that  you  have  performed  this  interesting  duty  to  my 
entire  satisfaction. 

The  character  of  this  coast  at  this  inclement  sea 
son,  unusually  boisterous  while  you  were  out,  involving 
the  care  of  a  sailing-ship  on  a  lee  shore,  in  shoal 
water,  both  under  way  and  at  anchor,  circumstances 
which  you  availed  yourself  of  with  skill  and  boldness, 
will  have  imparted  experience  to  these  gentlemen  of 
the  utmost  value. 


380  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  chart  showing  the  tracks  of  the  Vandalia 
during  this  cruise,  executed  by  yourself  with  so  much 
skill  as  as  a  draftsman,  has  also  been  received.  I  pur 
pose  sending  it  with  your  report  to  the  Navy  Depart 
ment,  accompanied  by  a  request  to  the  Honorable  Secre 
tary  that  they  may  be  forwarded  to  the  Naval  Academy, 
where  both  will  doubtless  be  received  with  interest. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  29th,  1862. 

Commander  M.  B.  WOOLSEY,  United  States  Ship 
Vandalia: 

SI-R:  —  As  you  are  about  proceeding  North  in  the 
Vandalia,  it  is  due  to  you  to  say  that  since  you  have 
been  attached  to  this  squadron,  your  earnest  zeal  in 
the  execution  of  your  duty  has  given  me  great  satis 
faction. 

While  commanding  the  Ellen  during  the  operations 
in  the  Stono  river,  where  that  vessel  rendered  import 
ant  services  against  the  rebel  batteries  and  forces,  you 
received  in  Commander  Drayton's  dispatches,  who  was 
the  senior  officer  present,  warm  commendation. 

I  should  be  much  pleased  to  see  you,  in  command 
of  a  steamer,  return  to  this  station. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  381 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Dec.  29th,  1862. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  by  Lieutenant 
Commanding  Woolsey,  of  the  Vandalia,  his  report  of 
the  cruises  of  the  Vandalia  off  this  coast,  from  Novem 
ber  2/th  to  December  2Oth,  together  with  a  chart  of 
the  track  of  the  ship,  executed  by  himself,  with  great 
skill  as  a  draughtsman. 

I  have  before  reported  the  double  object  of  this 
cruise ;  one  of  them  was  to  give  nautical  experience 
to  the  young  officers  of  this  squadron,  whom  the  ne 
cessities  of  the  war  have  suddenly  advanced  to  re 
sponsible  positions,  in  some  cases  in  advance  of  their 
regular  graduation  at  the  Naval  Academy. 

I  am  happy  to  say  that  this  has  been  very  suc 
cessful,  and  among  its  most  agreeable  incidents  has 
been  the  thorough  appreciation  by  these  young  officers 
themselves  of  the  opportunity  thus  afforded  them  of 
gaining  professional  experience. 

It  has  occurred  to  me,  if  the  Department  ap 
proved  of  it,  that  the  map  and  report  of  the  cruise 
would  be  of  some  interest  to  the  young  men  at  the 
Naval  Academy,  and  would  be  gladly  received  by 

Commodore   Blake. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


382  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  ist,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
positions  on  blockade  of  the  vessels  of  this  squadron : 

At   Georgetown,  United   States   steamer   Sebago. 

Off  Bull's  Bay,  United  States  barque    Restless. 

Off  Charleston,  Powhatan,  Canandaigua,  Housa- 
tonic,  Mercedita,  Flag,  Quaker  City,  Keystone  State, 
Flambeau,  Marblehead,  Huron,  Unadilla,  Memphis,  Stet 
tin,  schooners  G.  W.  Blunt  and  Para. 

Stono,  Ottawa,  Commodore  McDonough  and  Isaac 
Smith. 

North   Edisto,   South  Carolina. 

St.  Helena,  barque    Kingfisher. 

Wassaw,  Conemaugh. 

Ossebaw,   Seneca,  Dawn,   and   C.  P.  Williams. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  Doboy,  and  St. 
Simon's,  Paul  Jones,  Potomska,  Madgie,  barque  Brazili- 
era,  and  schooner  Norfolk  Packet. 

St.  Andrew's,  barque  Midnight. 

Fernandina,  Mohawk. 

St.  John's,   Norwich  and   Uncas. 

Port  Royal,  part  of  them  undergoing  repairs  and 
taking  in  provisions,  Wabash,  Vermont,  Wissahickon, 
Fernandina,  and  tugs  Dandelion,  Daffodil,  Pettit,  and 
Rescue. 

The  Water  Witch  and  Hope  are  used  as  dispatch 
boats. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  383 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  ist,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR: — Acting  Assistant  Paymaster  A.  W.  Kelsey, 
of  the  Wissahickon,  has  been  invalided  by  medical  sur 
vey,  and  will  be  sent  North  by  an  early  opportunity. 

If  the  Department  could  appoint  in  his  place  a 
young  gentleman  who  came  out  as  a  private  in  the 
expeditionary  corps  from  patriotic  motives,  and  who  has 
been  my  clerk  for  more  than  eight  months,  I  should 
deem  it  a  favor,  and  I  am  certain  the  appointment 
would  be  worthily  bestowed. 

I  can  recommend  him  from  my  own  close  obser 
vation  in  every  way.  His  conduct  and  character  are 
irreproachable,  and  he  has  proved  himself  faithful  and 
intelligent  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  in  this  ship. 
I  shall  miss  his  services  considerably,  but  I  deem  it 
my  duty  thus  to  recommend  him. 

His  name  is  James  C.  Vail ;  he  is  from  Morris- 
town,  New  Jersey,  and  is  in  his  twenty-first  year. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  8th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  of  an  important  capture  made  on  the  morning 
of  the  4th  inst.,  off  Charleston. 

About  two  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  the 
Quaker  City  discovered  a  small  sloop  coming  out  from 
Charleston,  and  succeeded  in  taking  her. 


384  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

On  boarding  the  vessel  it  proved  to  be  the  rebel 
sloop  Mercury,  bound  for  Nassau  or  Halifax,  having 
on  board  Major  Reid  Saunders,  son  of  George  N. 
Saunders,  formerly  navy  agent  in  New  York,  and  now 
agent  abroad  for  the  Confederate  Government. 

He  was  on  board  under  the  assumed  name  of 
George  Sheaver. 

There  was  also  taken  a  considerable  mail,  contain 
ing,  in  a  tin  box,  dispatches  from  the  Confederate 
Government  to  its  ministers  abroad,  which  I  send  in 
the  condition  in  which  they  were  delivered  to  me. 
There  were,  besides,  numerous  letters  addressed  to  va 
rious  parties,  which  are  also  herewith  forwarded,  and 
among  them  a  communication  addressed  to  the  London 
Times  for  publication,  to  which  I  would  call  the  at 
tention  of  the  Department. 

But,  as  most  important  of  all,  I  enclose  herewith 
(marked  No.  i),  a  letter  in  pencil  from  George  N 
Saunders  to  his  son  Reid,  referring  to  iron-clad  vessels 
of  the  former,  and  directing  his  son  to  impress  upon 
Mr.  Mason  the  absolute  importance  of  hastening  them 
forward,  as  the  only  thing  that  offers  succor  and  relief; 
that  Sinclair's  and  Bullock's  steamer  only  preys  upon 
commerce,  but  that  more  is  wanted  now,  adding,  "  We 
want  succor,  or  we  must  die." 

Another  letter  (marked  No.  2),  is  also  enclosed,  be 
ing  the  contract  between  Major  Reid  Saunders  and 
the  master  of  the  Mercury. 

I  deem  these  dispatches  of  too  much  importance 
to  trust  to  the  mail,  and  I  have  therefore  directed  my 
flag  lieutenant,  S.  W.  Preston,  to  take  charge  of  them 
in  person. 

Will  the  Department  please  see  that  he  returns  as 
soon  as  possible  to  this  vessel  ? 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  385 

Lieutenant  Preston  will  explain  in  detail  how  the 
mail  fell  into  our  hands.  Major  Saunders,  who  had 
charge  of  it,  thinks  it  was  thrown  overboard,  and  I 
submit  that  he  should  not  be  undeceived  by  the  pub 
lication  in  our  papers  that  the  official  dispatches  were 
taken,  as  well  as  the  ordinary  mail.  He  is  at  present 
on  the  Powhatan.  The  captain,  Harris,  is  here,  and  I 
thought  it  best  that  he  should  be  sent  North  in  the 
Blackstone,  one  of  our  own  vessels. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  gth,  1863. 

Captain  S.  W.  GODON,  United  States  Ship  Powhatan, 
Senior  Officer,  Charleston : 

SIR:  —  Your  interesting  report  of  the  capture  of 
the  sloop  Mercury,  on  the  4th  inst,  has  been  received. 
The  Hope  arrived  here,  with  the  prize  in  tow,  near 
midnight  of  the  /th. 

After  looking  over  the  letter  in  pencil  referred  to 
particularly  in  your  letter,  and  some  of  the  other  docu 
ments,  I  determined  to  send  the  captured  mails  by 
a  special  bearer  of  dispatches,  not  being  willing  to  trust 
them  to  the  ordinary  mail,  and  accordingly  ordered  my 
flag,  lieutenant  Preston,  to  proceed  at  once  to  Wash 
ington  in  the  Matanzas,  which  was  to  sail  on  the  8th 
inst. 

The  captain  of  the  sloop,  Harris,  will  be  sent  North 
in  the  United  States  store-ship  Courier  in  a  few  days, 
and  the  rebel  agent,  Major  Saunders,  in  the  Blackstone. 

Please   to   express   to  Commander  Frailey  my  com 
mendation   of    his  vigilance   in   securing  this   important 
25 


386  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

prize.  I  approve  of  the  precautions  taken  to  prevent 
her  capture  being  known  in  Charleston.  I  endeavored 
to  keep  the  fact  that  the  mail  had  been  captured 
from  the  people  on  shore,  so  that  Lieutenant  Preston 
would  be  the  first  to  inform  the  Department  of  it 

The  Blunt  leaves  in  the  morning  for  your  station, 
and  I  shall  send  the  Ottawa  from  Stono  to  replace 
the  Canandaigua,  as  it  is  of  great  importance  that  the 
latter  vessel  should  proceed  at  once  off  Ossebaw. 

Enclosed   is   an   order   to    Captain   Green. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  gth,  1863. 

Commander  R.  WERDEN,  United  States  Ship 
Conemaugh,  Wassaw : 

SIR:  —  From  a  report  received  to-day,  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  the  Fingal  is  about  attempting 
to  reach  the  Ogeechee,  either  outside  by  Wassaw,  or 
through  the  Romilly  marshes,  in  order  to  aid  the 
Nashville  to  escape.  You  will  therefore  be  especially 
on  your  guard. 

I  have  ordered  the  Canandaigua  from  Charleston, 
to  lie  off  the  bar  at  Ossebaw,  to  intercept  the  Nash 
ville  in  the  event  of*  her  escaping. 

The  Wissahickon  leaves  here  on  Tuesday  for  Osse 
baw,  to  relieve  the  Seneca,  which  vessel  will  in  turn 
relieve  you. 

I   send   your   mails   by  the    Daffodil. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  387 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  loth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  In  forwarding  the  within  communication 
(marked  No.  i),  from  Commander  Reynolds,  I  can  add 
my  testimony  to  that  of  the  medical  officers  that  he 
is  at  this  time  in  the  efficient  discharge  of  his  duties 
on  board  the  Vermont.  I  am  also  cognizant  of  the 
fact  that  his  retirement  in  1855  was  solely  for  the 
cause  stated  in  his  letter  to  the  Department,  and  I 
take  pleasure  in  saying  that  he  is  an  officer  of  su 
perior  intelligence  and  great  worth. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  i3th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  In  my  communication  of  the  8th  inst.,  I 
had  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Department  the  cap 
ture  of  the  rebel  sloop  Mercury,  with  important  dis 
patches,  which  doubtless  have  already  been  delivered 
by  Mr.  Preston,  my  flag  lieutenant. 

The  mate  of  the  sloop,  A.  Y.  Harris,  I  send  to 
Hampton  Roads  in  the  steamer  Blackstone,  with  orders 
to  Acting  Master  Berry  to  transfer  him  to  the  flag 
ship  of  Rear  Admiral  Lee,  there  to  await  the  dispo 
sition  of  the  Government. 

Harris  was  formerly  in  the  service,  but  when  cap 
tured  was  a  private  in  the  Confederate  army;  at  all 
events  is  so  named  in  the  enclosed  pass  (marked  No 
i),  voluntarily  placed  in  my  hands. 


388  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

• 

I  deemed  it  better  to  have  him  placed  on  board 
a  vessel  -  of  -  war  at  the  Roads  than  to  send  him  to 
New  York.  Rear  Admiral  Lee  has  been  advised  of 
this  arrangement. 

Mr.  Harris  desires  to  call  at  the  Navy  Depart 
ment.  He  thinks  he  can  give  important  information 
which  might  secure  the  arrest  or  capture  of  George 
N.  Saunders. 

He  has  spoken  here  of  the  defences  of  Charles 
ton,  but  his  statements  are  wild,  and  frequently  incon 
sistent. 

Major  Reid  Saunders,  or,  as  he  calls  himself,  Geo. 
E.  Sheaver  (clerk),  with  two  other  persons,  taken  in 
the  Mercury,  will  be  sent  North  in  the  Courier. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  2oth,  1863. 

Commander  J.  L.  WORDEN,  United  States  Ship 
Montauk,  Port  Royal  : 

SIR  :  —  The  tempestuous  weather  would  render  it 
improper  to  expose  the  Montauk  at  sea  again  until 
there  has  been  some  change.  At  this  moment  an  in 
side  blockading  force  is  holding  Ossebaw  Inlet,  coast 
of  Georgia,  consisting  of  two  regular  eleven-inch  gun 
boats,  with  the  Dawn  and  a  mortar  vessel.  The  Canan- 
daigua,  a  formidable  ship,  is  also  lying  off  the  bar. 
The  Nashville  is  up  the  Great  Ogeechee,  having  been 
fitted  as  a  privateer,  and  is  lying  under  a  five  or 
seven  gun  battery,  waiting  to  run  to  sea. 

We   have   a   report  that  the  Fingal  (now  called  the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  389 

Atlanta),  an   iron-clad,  will  attempt  to  aid  the    Nashville 
in   escaping. 

As  the  most  important  operations  on  this  coast 
must  be  delayed  until  other  vessels  arrive,  and  until 
those  now  here  can  be  made  ready,  it  strikes  me  a 
very  important  and  handsome  thing  may  be  done  by 
capturing  this  fort  on  the  Ogeechee,  and  in  destroying 
the  Nashville,  and,  should  matters  go  well,  in  burning 
the  railroad  bridge  which  the  gunboats  can  lay  along 
side  of. 

Will  you  please  then  get  ready  for  this  service 
with  the  least  delay  possible?  Pilots  will  be  provided, 
and  if  the  Canandaigua  remains  outside,  the  gunboats 
will  be  necessarily  under  your  orders  as  senior  officer. 

I  shall  see  you  myself  before  you  leave,  when 
further  details  will  be  arranged. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  226!,  1863. 

Captain  S.  W.  GODON,  United  States  Ship  Powhatan, 
off  Charleston : 

SIR:  —  The  Rhode  Island  takes  up  the  two  pilots. 
I  desire  you  to  give  her  a  station  nearest  to  the  bar, 
that  a  system  of  reconnoissance  and  soundings  may  be 
commenced  in  the  channels  over  it. 

This  must  be  done  at  night,  with  great  caution, 
in  order  not  to  excite  the  attention  of  the  enemy. 
The  object  is  to  obtain  not  alone  the  depth  of  water, 
but  to  acquire  such  familiarity  with  the  features  of 
the  channels,  as  to  enable  the  pilots  hereafter  to 
plant  the  necessary  buoys  in  one  night. 


3QO  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

You  will  please  give  Commander  Trenchard  such 
assistance  as  you  may  deem  necessary,  and  such  coun 
sel  as  your  long  experience  off  Charleston  may  render 
desirable. 

You  had  better  come  down  yourself  and  coal,  as 
soon  as  you  can. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  24th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  the  Department's  confidential  communication  of 
the  6th  inst. 

The  Department  has  been  informed,  through  my 
private  letters  to  the  Assistant  Secretary,  of  the  gen- 
ral  character  and  extent  of  the  defences  of  Charleston. 
I  shall  endeavor  to  execute  its  wishes,  with  such  force 
as  the  Department  may  deem  necessary  for  this  pur 
pose. 

The  Department  is  aware  that  I  have  never  shrunk 
from  assuming  any  responsibility  which  circumstances 
called  for,  nor  desired  to  place  any  failure  of  mine  on 
others.  But  the  interests  involved  in  the  success  or  fail 
ure  of  this  undertaking  strike  me  as  so  momentous  to 
the  nation,  at  home  and  abroad,  at  this  particular  period, 
that  I  am  confident  it  will  require  no  urging  from  me 
to  induce  the  Department  to  put  at  my  disposal  every 
means  in  its  power  to  insure  success,  especially  by 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  39 1 

sending   additional   iron-clads,  if  possible,  to  those  men 
tioned   in   your   dispatch. 

The  army  is  not  ready  even  for  the  limited  co 
operation  it  can  give,  though  anxious  to  render  every 
assistance. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  26th,  1863. 

Captain  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Ship  Passaic, 
Port  Royal: 

SIR:  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  Passaic, 
under  your  command,  in  tow  of  the  Canandaigua,  to 
Wassaw  Sound. 

For  the  better  guarding  of  that  sound  and  the 
gunboats  now  there  against  any  attempt  which  may 
be  made  by  the  iron-clad  steamer  Fingal  (otherwise 
called  the  Atlanta),  to  enter  Wassaw,  you  will  take 
such  position  as  you  may  deem  most  desirable. 

If  from  information  received  there  you  should  con 
sider  it  proper  to  ascend  the  Wilmington  river,  you 
can  do  so. 

The  Fingal,  as  I  have  every  reason  to  believe,  is 
either  in  St.  Augustine  creek  or  at  its  mouth,  ready 
to  pass  into  Wilmington  river  by  the  first  opportunity. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


392  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  26th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  had  not  time  by  the  last  mail  to 
give  any  particulars  of  the  destruction  of  the  rebel 
steamer  Tropic,  formerly  the  Huntress,  of  Charleston. 

On  the  morning  of  the  i8th  inst,  between  three 
and  four  o'clock,  an  alarm  was  given  from  the  south 
side  of  the  blockade.  Soon  after  a  bright  light  was 
seen  to  the  southward,  and  the  Quaker  City,  Com 
mander  Frailey,  immediately  steamed  to  the  spot  and 
found  the  steamer  in  flames,  but  whether  she  was  fired 
intentionally  or  not,  does  not  yet  appear. 

Commander  Frailey  at  once  sought  to  pick  up  the 
passengers  and  crew,  who  had  taken  to  their  boats, 
but  before  being  taken  on  board  the  Quaker  City, 
they  managed  to  destroy  most  of  their  papers.  Some, 
however,  marked  No.  I,  were  found,  which  are  here 
with  transmitted. 

One  of  the  passengers,  a  Mr.  Vernon,  is  an  Eng 
lishman,  and  was  at  the  time  proceeding  to  Europe 
to  carry  out  a  contract  with  the  rebel  Secreiary  of 
War  to  supply  the  government  with  medicines,  cloth 
ing,  arms,  powder,  etc.  This  contract  is  among  the 
papers. 

Another  passenger,  Mr.  T.  Steers,  was  apparently 
engaged  in  the  same  business ;  he  says  he  is  from 
Pennsylvania. 

Most  of  the  officers  are  citizens  of  the  Southern 
States,  and  by  the  shipping  articles,  most  of  the  crew, 
but  how  far  this  is  so  I  have  no  means  of  ascer 
taining. 

I  have  transferred  the  captain,  passengers,  engi 
neers,  and  sixteen  of  her  crew,  directing  Acting  Vol- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  393 

unteer  Lieutenant  Eaton  to  communicate  with  Rear 
Admiral  Paulding  as  to  their  disposition.  The  second 
mate,  Black,  the  Nassau  pilot,  Spatcher,  the  paymaster, 
and  Johnson,  the  Charleston  pilot,  and  five  of  the  crew, 
go  North  in  the  Restless. 

May  I  ask  the  Department  to  give  the  necessary 
orders  to  Rear  Admiral  Paulding  before  the  Circassian 
and  Restless  arrive  at  New  York. 

I  enclose  herewith  (marked  No.  2),  a  list  of  the 
officers,  passengers,  and  crew,  with  their  places  of  na 
tivity,  forwarded  to  me  by  Captain  Godon,  adding, 
however,  that  this  list  differs  on  the  latter  point  from 
the  shipping  articles. 

I  call  attention  to  Mr.  Johnson,  the  Charleston 
pilot,  who  has  run  in  vessels  on  the  coast  before. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  28th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  Considering  it  desirable  to  test  in  every 
way  the  efficiency  of  the  iron-clads  that  had  arrived, 
and  to  avail  myself  of  their  presence  until  others 
came,  I  sent  Commander  Worden  down  to  Ossebaw  to 
operate  upon  Great  Ogeechee  river,  and  capture,  if  he 
could,  the  fort  at  Genesis  Point,  under  cover  of  which 
the  Nashville  was  lying,  —  now  fitted  as  a  privateer, 
and  waiting  to  run  the  blockade, —  and  in  case  of 
success  the  railroad  was  also  accessible. 


394  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  enclose  copy  (marked  No.  i)  of  Commander 
Worden's  report,  received  at  midnight  by  the  hands  of 
Ensign  Johnson,  one  of  my  aids,  who,  in  one  of  our 
armed  tugs,  witnessed  and  participated  in  the  attack. 
He  informs  me  that  the  fort  was  a  very  formidable 
casemated  earthwork,  with  bomb-proofs,  and  mounting 
nine  guns,  the  firing  from  which  was  excellent. 

We  have  obtained  valuable  information  on  the  suc 
cess  of  the  working  of  the  fifteen-inch  gun,  and, 
although  the  Montauk  was  struck  thirteen  times,  she 
received  no  injury. 

My  own  previous  impressions  of  these  vessels, 
frequently  expressed  to  Assistant  Secretary  Fox,  have 
been  confirmed,  viz.,  that  whatever  degree  of  impene 
trability  they  might  have,  there  was  no  corresponding 
quality  of  aggression  or  destructiveness,  as  against  forts, 
the  slowness  of  fire  giving  full  time  for  the  gunners 
in  the  fort  to  take  shelter  in  the  bomb-proofs.  This 
experiment  also  convinces  me  of  another  impression 
firmly  held,  and  often  expressed,  that  in  all  such  ope 
rations,  to  secure  success,  troops  are  necessary. 

The  distance  at  which  Commander  Worden  was 
compelled  to  engage,  not  far  from  his  extreme  range, 
may  modify  to  some  extent  the  above  views. 

The  Department  however  will  observe  how  diffi 
cult,  if  not  impossible,  it  will  be  to  remove  sunken  ob 
structions  and  piling  in  shallow  water,  under  fire,  very 
different  from  rafts  or  booms,  floating  chains,  etc. 

The  Fingal  left  Savannah,  and  has  got  to  the 
mouth  of  St.  Augustine  creek;  whether  to  try  Pu- 
laski,  and  run  by  it  to  sea,  or  to  Wassaw,  on  her  way 
to  Ossebaw,  to  convoy  the  Nashville,  I  know  not,  but 
most  probably  the  latter.  I  am  waiting  for  the  weather 
to  moderate  to  get  the  Passaic  towed  to  Wassaw,  in 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  395 

order  to  intercept  the  Fingal  and  protect  the  block 
ading  force  there;  but  these  monitors  are  so  unsafe  at 
sea,  and  so  helpless  in  themselves,  that  the  weather 
must  be  narrowly  watched. 

I  had  the  smoke-stack  of  the  Ironsides  taken 
down,  and  ordered  a  trial  trip  to  be  made  without  it, 
but  the  result  proved  so  unfavorable  in  consequence  of 
the  escape  of  gas,  particularly  in  the  engine-room,  that 
I  had  it  replaced. 

I  then  directed  a  board  of  officers  to  examine 
into  the  practicability  of  moving  the  turret  forward, 
where  it  should  originally  have  been  placed,  but  the 
board  reported  that,  though  in  every  way  desirable, 
yet  on  account  of  its  great  weight,  eighteen  tons,  it 
is  impracticable,  with  the  means  at  our  command,  to 
move  it. 

Where  there  are  no  means  of  feeling  one's  way 
with  the  lead,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that 
the  view  should  be  clear  ahead. 

A  greater  blunder  in  a  matter  of  so  much  mo 
ment  I  do  not  remember  to  have  met  with  before, 
as  the  vessel  may  be  ashore  before  she  is  half  in 
action. 

Enclosed  (marked  No.  2)  is  Captain  Turner's  re 
port  of  the  effect  of  cutting  down  the  smoke-stack, 
which  perfectly  illustrates  what  I  have  written. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


396  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Jan.  3ist,  1863. 

Captain  C.  O.  BOUTELLE,  A.  C.  S.  United  States  Coast  Survey, 
Steamer  Bibb: 

SIR  :  —  My  dispatch  steamer,  the  Water  Witch,  hav 
ing  broken  down  and  been  towed  North,  until  I  can 
get  the  Flambeau  here  to  replace  her,  I  have  again  to 
call  upon  your  services  with  the  Bibb,  —  which  you 
are  always  so  ready  to  give,  —  to  request  that  you  will 
receive  on  board  certain  supplies  for  the  Sebago,  that 
vessel  being  much  in  want  of  them. 

You  will  please  proceed  with  them,  so  soon  as 
you  are  ready,  to  Georgetown,  returning  from  there  to 
Port  Royal. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  Jan.  3ist,  1863. 

Captain  T.  TURNER,  United  States  Ship 
New  Ironsides : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed,  as  soon  as  possible,  with 
the  New  Ironsides,  under  your  command,  off  Charleston. 

Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  a  communication  from  Com 
mander  Parrott.  It  contains  all  I  know  in  reference 
to  the  late  attack  on  the  blockading  fleet  by  iron-clads 
out  of  Charleston. 

You  will  assume  charge  of  the  blockade  as  senior 
officer  present,  and  will  receive  from  Captain  Godon, 
of  the  Powhatan,  such  information  as  his  experience 
there  will  enable  him  to  give. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  397 

I  desire  you  to  take  such  position  with  the  New 
Ironsides  as  may  best  enable  you  to  prevent  the  rebel 
iron-clads  from  again  attacking  the  blockading  fleet, 
and  if  you  deem  it  most  advantageous  to  go  inside 
the  bar,  you  will  make  such  arrangement  as  to  signals 
with  Captain  Godon  as  you  may  consider  necessary. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  ist,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
positions  on  blockade  of ,  the  vessels  of  this  squadron : — 

At    Georgetown,  United   States   steamer   Sebago. 

Oft    Bull's    Bay,  United   States  steamer  Flambeau. 

Off  Charleston,  United  States  steamers  New  Iron 
sides,  Powhatan,  Housatonic,  Flag,  Quaker  City,  James 
Adger,  Augusta,  Huron,  Ottawa,  Unadilla,  Memphis,  Stet 
tin,  and  schooners  Blunt  and  America. 

In  Stono  River,  United  States  steamer  Commodore 
McDonough. 

In  North  Edisto,  United  States  steamer  South 
Carolina. 

In  St.  Helena,  United  States  barque  Kingfisher. 

In  Wassaw,  United  States  steamers  Passaic  and  Mar- 
blehead. 

In  Ossebaw,  United  States  steamers  Montauk,  Sen 
eca,  Wissahickon,  Dawn,  and  mortar  schooner  C.  P. 
Williams. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  Doboy,  and  St. 
Simon's,  United  States  steamers  Paul  Jones,  Potomska, 


398  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Madgie,  barques   Braziliera   and    Fernandina,  and  mortar 
schooner   Norfolk    Packet. 

St.  Andrew's,  United  States  barque  Midnight. 

At  Fernandina,  United   States   steamer  Mohawk. 

In  St.  John's,  United  States  steamers  Norwich  and 
Uncas. 

In  Port  Royal,  most  of  them  undergoing  repairs 
and  taking  in  provisions,  United  States  steamer  Wabash, 
United  States  ship  Vermont,  United  States  steamers 
Canandaigua,  Mercedita,  Keystone  State,  Conemaugh, 
schooner  Para,  and  tugs  Dandelion,  Daffodil,  Columbine, 
Rescue,  and  Pettit. 

The    Hope   is  used  as   a   dispatch   boat. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  2d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR:  —  I  have  to  report  that  about  four  o'clock 
of  the  morning  of  the  3ist  ultimo,  during  the  obscurity 
of  a  thick  haze,  two  iron-clad  gunboats  came  out  of 
Charleston  by  the  main  ship  channel,  unperceived  by 
the  squadron,  and  commenced  a  raid  upon  the  block 
ading  fleet. 

Most  of  the  latter  were  of  the  light  class  of  pur 
chased  vessels;  two  of  the  heaviest  men-of-war,  the 
Powhatan  and  Canandaigua,  being  at  this  port  coaling 
and  repairing. 

The  Mercedita  was  the  first  vessel  attacked.  Her 
officers  and  crew  had  been  particularly  watchful  during 
the  night,  looking  out  for  suspected  vessels,  and  at 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  399 

three  o'clock  had  slipped  cable  and  overhauled  a  troop 
steamer  running  for  the  channel,  by  mistake.  She  had 
returned  to  her  anchorage,  and  Captain  Stellwagen  had 
gone  to  his  room  for  a  short  time,  leaving  Lieutenant 
Commander  Abbott  on  deck,  when  one  of  the  iron 
clads  suddenly  appeared,  her  approach  having  been  con 
cealed  by  the  haze  and  mist  of  the  atmosphere. 

The  vessel  was  immediately  hailed,  and  an  order 
given  to  fire,  but  the  iron-clad  being  close  aboard,  and 
lying  low  in  the  water,  no  guns  could  be  brought  to 
bear.  A  heavy  rifle  shot  was  fired  from  the  enemy, 
which,  entering  the  starboard  side  of  the  Mercedita, 
passed  through  her  condenser,  the  steam  drum  of  her 
port  boiler,  and  exploded  against  the  port  side,  blow 
ing  a  hole  in  its  exit  some  four  or  five  feet  square, 
killing  the  gunner,  and,  by  the  escape  of  steam,  scald 
ing  a  number  of  the  men,  and  rendering  her  motive 
power  apparently  useless.  Unable  to  use  his  guns,  and 
being  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy,  who  was  lying 
alongside  on  her  starboard  quarter,  all  further  resist 
ance  was  deemed  hopeless  by  Captain  Stellwagen,  and 
he  surrendered. 

The  crew  and  officers  were  paroled,  though  nothing 
was  said  of  the  ship ;  the  executive  officer,  Lieutenant 
Commander  T.  Abbott,  having  gone  on  board  and  made 
the  arrangement. 

The  iron-clads,  leaving  the  Mercedita  to  her  fate, 
to  sink  or  not,  next  engaged  the  Keystone  State, 
Commander  Le  Roy,  which  was  also  attacked  by  the 
other.  Their  fire  was  gallantly  returned,  but  a  shell 
exploding  in  the  fore  hold  of  this  vessel,  she  was  set 
on  fire.  Commander  Le  Roy  kept  off  until  it  was  got 
under,  when  he  steered  again  for  one  of  the  iron-clads, 
ordered  full  steam,  and  determined  to  try  to  run  her 


4OO  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

down.  The  guns  had  been  trained  and  depressed  for 
a  plunging  fire  at  the  moment  of  collision,  and  the 
ship  had  acquired  the  speed  of  twelve  knots,  when  a 
shell  or  shot  from  the  enemy  passed  through  both 
steam  chests,  wholly  disabling  her  boilers,  and  rendering 
her  powerless.  Ten  rifle  shell  struck  the  Keystone  State; 
two  burst  on  the  quarter-deck,  but  most  of  them 
struck  the  hull,  being  near  and  below  the  water  line. 

In  the  meantime  the  Augusta,  Commander  Parrott, 
the  Quaker  City,  Commander  Frailey,  and  the  Memphis, 
Acting  Lieutenant  Watmough,  kept  up  a  fire  upon  the 
enemy,  diverting  their  attention  from  the  Keystone 
State,  which  was  soon  after  taken  in  tow  by  the  Mem 
phis  and  drawn  away  from  the  fire.  The  Augusta 
and  Quaker  City  were  both  struck  in  their  hulls ; 
the  Memphis  only  in  her  rigging.  The  Housatonic 
gave  chase,  and  a  shot  from  her  struck  the  pilot 
house  of  one  of  the  iron-clads,  doing,  it  is  thought, 
some  damage,  and  carrying  away  one  of  her  flags. 

The  rebel  vessels  then  passed  to  the  northward, 
receiving  the  fire  of  our  ships,  and  took  refuge  in  the 
Swash  channel,  behind  the  shoals. 

The  only  casualties  were  on  the  Mercedita  and  the 
Keystone  State.  On  the  Keystone  State  they  are  very 
large,  about  one  quarter  of  her  crew  killed  and 
wounded;  among  the  former,  the  medical  officer  of  the 
ship,  Assistant  Surgeon  Jacob  H.  Gotwold,  who  was 
scalded  to  death  whilst  rendering  surgical  aid  to  one 
of  the  wounded  men.  Nine  of  those  who  died  per 
ished  from  the  escape  of  steam  when  the  boiler  and 
steam  chimney  were  penetrated ;  and  among  the 
wounded  the  greater  number  received  their  injuries 
from  the  same  cause. 

As   the    Mercedita   was   the  only   vessel   which  sur- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  4OI 

rendered,  I  have  directed  a  court  of  inquiry  to  exam 
ine  into  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  as  well  as 
into  the  terms  under  which  the  surrender  was  made. 
This  investigation  has  been  asked  for  by  Captain 
Stellwagen. 

I  received  this  intelligence  on  Saturday,  at  three 
o'clock  p.  m.,  by  the  Augusta,  which  ship  immediately 
returned  to  Charleston.  The  Mercedita  soon  after  ar 
rived,  and  the  Keystone  State  in  tow  of  the  Memphis, 
when  the  latter  vessel  was  at  once  sent  back  to  her 
station.  The  James  Adger,  Commander  Patterson,  which 
had  towed  the  Passaic  to  Wassaw  to  watch  the  Fingal, 
much  more  formidable  than  the  Charleston  iron-clads, 
was  also  turned  back  as  she  was  coming  into  Port 
Royal,  and  ordered  to  Charleston ;  and  the  Powhatan, 
through  the  commendable  zeal  of  Captain  Godon,  was 
got  ready  by  nine  o'clock  p.  m.  I  had  the  channel 
and  bar  buoys  lighted,  when  she  passed  out  safely. 

The  New  Ironsides,  which,  ever  since  her  arrival 
here,  has  been  undergoing  various  alterations  ordered 
by  the  Department,  and  of  which  it  has  been  advised, 
had  taken  out  her  masts  at  twelve  o'clock  on  the  day  we 
received  the  news.  She  had  to  take  on  coal,  but  suc 
ceeded  in  getting  away  at  eight  o'clock  next  morning. 

I  forward  herewith  copies  of  the  reports  of  Cap 
tain  Stellwagen,  Lieutenant  Commander  Abbott,  and 
Commander  Le  Roy  (marked  Nos.  i,  2,  and  3),  also  the 
reports  of  the  casualties  on  the  Mercedita  and  the 
Keystone  State  (marked  No.  4  and  5). 

On  the  Mercedita  there  were  four  killed  and  three 
wounded ;  on  the  Keystone  State,  twenty  killed  and 
twenty  wounded. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

26  Rear  Admiral. 


4O2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

P.  S.  —  Since  the  above  dispatch  was  written,  and 
as  the  mail  was  about  to  close,  I  received  the  report 
herewith  enclosed  (marked  No.  6)  of  Captain  W.  R. 
Taylor,  of  the  Housatonic,  the  senior  officer  off  Charles 
ton,  who,  however,  was  stationed  at  the  north-east  end 
of  the  line  of  blockade,  near  the  Rattlesnake  shoal. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  Enclosed  (marked  No.  7)  is  an  extract  from 
the  log  of  the  Keystone  State,  just  forwarded  to  me 
by  Commander  Le  Roy. 

S.   F.   Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  3d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  On  Saturday,  when  I  received  the  informa 
tion  of  affairs  off  Charleston  referred  to  in  my  pre 
vious  dispatch,  No.  53,  there  were  also  vague  rumors 
that  the  two  gunboats  holding  Stono  Inlet  had  been 
engaged ;  heavy  firing  having  been  heard  in  that  direc 
tion. 

At  two  o'clock  a.  m.  of  the  ist  inst,  the  Com 
modore  McDonough  came  into  Port  Royal,  and  I  regret 
to  add,  reported  the  capture,  by  three  rebel  batteries, 
of  the  United  States  ship  Isaac  Smith. 

It  appears  from  Lieutenant  Commander  Bacon's 
report  (herewith  enclosed,  marked  No.  i),  that  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  3Oth  ult.  he  sent  the  Isaac  Smith, 
Acting  Lieutenant  Conover,  up  the  Stono  river  to  make 
a  reconnoissance,  as  had  been  frequently  done  for  weeks 
previous.  She  passed  some  miles  beyond  Legarevillc 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  403 

without  seeing  an  enemy,  and  was  on  her  way  back, 
when,  about  a  mile  above  that  place,  and  in  a  bend 
of  the  river,  three  batteries,  heretofore  concealed,  opened 
a  concentrated  fire  upon  her  from  heavy  rifled  guns. 

Lieutenant  Commander  Bacon,  who,  with  the  Com 
modore  McDonough,  was  anchored  lower  down  the 
river,  immediately  on  hearing  the  firing  proceeded  to 
her  assistance. 

Soon  after  he  had  got  under  way,  Lieutenant  Com 
mander  Bacon  discovered  that  a  white  flag  was  flying 
from  the  Isaac  Smith,  and  that  the  firing  from  the 
shore  had  ceased. 

On  arriving  abreast  of  Legareville,  she  was  seen 
to  be  aground  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above  the 
bend  in  the  river,  and  two  of  her  boats  were  observed 
going  on  shore  loaded  with  officers  and  men.  The 
Commodore  McDonough  stood  up  towards  the  bend, 
with  the  intention  of  either  towing  her  off  or  destroy 
ing  her;  but  after  reaching  the  bend  he  was  opened 
upon  by  the  same  three  batteries ;  one  on  the  bend, 
one  half  a  mile  above  the  bend,  on  St.  John's  Island, 
mounting  six  heavy  guns,  and  one  back  and  to  the 
left  of  Legareville. 

Lieutenant  Commander  Bacon  immediately  returned 
the  fire  from  his  rifled  guns,  and  by  keeping  his  ves 
sel  in  motion,  going  ahead  and  backing,  succeeded  in 
escaping  injury,  though  the  enemy's  shell  struck  all 
around  the  ship.  It  becoming  dark,  he  ceased  firing, 
and  dropped  down  to  the  entrance  of  the  bar. 

Lieutenant  Commander  Bacon  reports  that  the  Isaac 
Smith  was  under  a  tremendous  cross-fire,  and  just  be 
fore  it  ceased  a  large  cloud  of  steam  was  seen  ascend 
ing  from  her,  which  probably  rendered  her  unmanage 
able,  and  caused  her  to  run  aground. 


404  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

As  the  Department  is  aware,  the  Stono  river 
was  held  by  me  in  case  of  its  being  required  as  a 
base  for  further  military  operations.  I  had  reduced 
my  force  in  that  river,  under  the  pressure  of  the 
blockade,  retaining  there  two  vessels  of  light  draft 
formerly  used  as  freight  and  ferry  boats,  though  well 
commanded,  and  used  to  keep  up  a  series  of  recon- 
noissances  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and 
to  give  notice  of  and  prevent  the  erection  of  any  ad 
ditional  batteries. 

But,  notwithstanding  all  the  vigilance  exercised  by 
the  commanding  officers  of  the  Isaac  Smith  and  the 
Commodore  McDonough,  the  enemy,  who  holds  com 
plete  possession  of  the  surrounding  country  and  islands, 
succeeded  in  erecting  the  batteries  by  which  the  Isaac 
Smith  was  taken,  masking  them  so  skillfully  that  their 
existence  was  unknown. 

I  have  had  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  casual 
ties  on  board  the  Isaac  Smith,  but  it  is  my  purpose 
to  do  so  by  a  flag  of  truce  at  the  earliest  moment, 
though  I  presume  the  Department  will  receive  infor 
mation  through  Southern  sources  on  this  point  before 
it  can  be  obtained  here. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal«  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  3d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR: —  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  (marked  No. 
i)  a  copy  of  Commander  John  L.  Worden's  report  of 
his  second  attack  on  the  battery  on  the  Ogeechee 
river. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  405 

I  do  not  feel  justified  to  authorize  another  at 
tempt,  as  the  ammunition  for  the  fifteen-inch  guns  is 
now  very  much  reduced. 

I  enclose  (marked  No.  2)  also  a  copy  of  Captain 
Drayton's  report  of  his  reconnoisnance  up  the  Wil 
mington  river. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  3d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  say  to  the  Depart 
ment  that  Acting  Master  E.  Van  Sill,  who  takes  North 
the  Princess  Royal,  has  been  in  active  service  during 
the  war,  was  in  the  Unadilla  during  the  action  at  Port 
Royal,  November  /th,  1881,  under  Lieutenant  Command 
ing  N.  Collins,  and  has  been  the  executive  officer  of 
the  Unadilla  under  her  present  lieutenant  commander, 
Quackenbush,  who  speaks  of  him  in  the  highest  terms, 
which  my  inspection  of  the  Unadilla,  a  short  time  since 
fully  justified. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  8th,  1863. 

Captain  T.  TURNER,  United  States  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
Port  Royal: 

SIR:  —  You  will  please  proceed  with  the  New 
Ironsides,  under  your  command,  off  Charleston,  and  re 
sume  charge  of  the  blockade  of  that  port,  taking  every 


406  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

precaution,  in  placing  the  vessels,  against  a  violation  of 
the  blockade,  and  requesting  the  commanding  officers 
to  exercise  great  vigilance  on  their  respective  stations, 
rendered  the  more  necessary  by  recent  events. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  8th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  Recent  events  on  the  Gulf,  and  elsewhere, 
have  stimulated  the  enemy  on  this  coast  to  use  every 
means  to  annoy  the  vessels  engaged  on  the  blockade. 

The  peculiar  character  of  the  inland  waters  is 
particularly  favorable  to  such  attempts,  enabling  him  to 
make  descents  on  weak  points,  and  securing  to  himself 
a  safe  retreat  from  pursuit. 

The  Department  is  aware,  though  very  few  persons 
outside  of  it  are,  of  the  nature  of  our  tenure  of  the 
coasts  of  the  three  States  within  my  command,  with 
the  numerous  inlets  and  sounds,  all  of  which  must  be 
guarded. 

My  force  is  already  extended  to  its  utmost  capacity 
of  expansion,  whilst,  daily,  more  and  more  vigorous 
efforts  are  making  in  England,  assisted  by  her  colonies 
off  this  coast,  to  break  the  blockade.  Many  steamers 
of  light  draft,  on  our  occupation  of  the  coast,  escaped 
up  the  various  inland  waters,  where  our  vessels  could 
not  follow  them.  These  may  now  be  used  against  us, 
especially  at  such  points  where  I  have  only  been  able 
to  station  single  vessels ;  several  of  these,  too,  without 
the  propelling  power  of  steam,  and  many  of  them  of 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  407 

a   character    unsuited   to   resist    sudden   attacks,   though 
adapted  to   the   purposes   of    an   ordinary  blockade. 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  have  to  request  the 
Department  to  send  me  such  reinforcement  as  will 
enable  me  to  meet  the  new  state  of  affairs  on  this 
coast. 

I  am  inculcating  vigilance  everywhere ;  but  sudden 
attacks,  if  not  surprises,  by  steamers,  iron-clad  or 
otherwise,  under  cover  of  darkness,  are  possible  under 
any  degree  of  watchfulness.  Vessels  cannot  have 
pickets  out  like  an  army,  though  boats,  in  particular 
localities,  may  be,  and  often  are,  used ;  but  these 
must  generally  be  at  anchor,  and  their  crews  regularly 
relieved. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  I  forward,  herewith,  a  chart,  on  tracing 
paper,  of  the  coast,  showing  the  positions  of  the 
blockading  vessels  of  this  squadron  on  the  3 1st  of 
January,  1863,  which  may  prove  interesting  to  the 
Department. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  gth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR:  —  Since  my  dispatch  No.  53,  reporting  the 
attack  of  the  rebel  iron-clads  on  the  blockading  fleet 
off  Charleston,  nothing  of  importance  has  occurred 
there. 


408  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  New  Ironsides,  Powhatan,  and  Canandaigua 
form  part  of  the  force  stationed  off  Charleston;  and 
that  port  is  now  more  stringently  blockaded  than  pre 
vious  to  the  raid  of  the  iron  clads. 

I  have  heard  through  Captain  Turner,  who  saw 
the  papers  •  in  the  hands  of  an  English  officer,  that 
General  Beauregard  has  issued  a  proclamation  setting 
forth  the  dispersion  of  the  fleet,  and  declaring  the 
blockade  of  that  port  raised:  the  best  answer  to 
which  I  have  above  given. 

One  of  the  wounded  crew  of  the  Keystone  State, 
John  Sullivan,  landsman,  has  died  since  my  previous 
letter. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  6th,  1863. 

Commander  W.  E.  LE  ROY,  United  States  Ship 
Keystone  State,  Port  Royal : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  your  communication  of 
yesterday  requesting  a  court  of  inquiry  upon  the  affair 
of  the  3 1st  ult.,  off  Charleston,  if  the  public  interests 
will  permit. 

While  appreciating  the  motive  which  induces  you 
to  seek  such  an  investigation,  I  deem  it  unnecessary, 
for  the  facts  submitted  by  me  to  the  Department,  of 
your  unequal  contest  with  the  iron  vessels,  are  cred 
itable  to  you  and  your  officers  and  crew. 

It  is  but  just  to  add,  there  is  every  reason  to 
elieve  that,  had  not  your  ship  been  unfortunately  dis- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  409 

abled  at  a  most  critical  time,  you  would  have  suc 
ceeded  in  destroying  one  of  the  iron-clads,  even  at 
the  risk  of  losing  your  own  vessel. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  9th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the   Navy : 

SIR  :  —  I  herewith  enclose  to  the  Department  a 
confidential  communication  from  Captain  Turner,  of  the 
New  Ironsides. 

I  respectfully  submit  to  the  Department  that 
H.  B.  M.  steamer  Petrel  should  be  ordered  out  of 
Charleston  by  the  British  admiral,  or  Lord  Lyons.  In 
the  history  of  no  blockade  can  be  found,  in  my  judg 
ment,  such  liberality  to  foreign  vessels  of  war,  in  hav 
ing  access  to  blockaded  ports,  as  our  Government  has 
evinced.  The  Department  will  see  how  prejudicial  her 
presence,  in  many  ways,  may  be;  and  if  in  the  line 
of  fire,  serious  complications  may  occur. 

I  do  not  hesitate  to  add  that  the  officer  com 
manding  the  Petrel,  from  his  well-known  rebel  sym 
pathies,  is  especially  obnoxious,  and  that  he  presents 
a  broad  contrast  to  all  the  officers  of  the  British  navy 
it  has  been  my  fortune  to  meet  with  on  this  coast, 
who  have  frequently  visited  the  blockading  fleet,  and 
who  always  have  been  governed,  in  their  intercourse, 
by  every  professional  propriety  as  officers  and  gen 
tlemen. 


4 1 0  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

I  commend  to  the  Department  the  confidential 
nature  of  Captain  Turner's  information ;  and  how  neces 
sary  it  will  be  to  use  the  information  he  conveys, 
obtained  from  others,  with  great  caution. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  Since  writing  the  above  I  have  seen  the 
Savannah  Republican,  of  February  2d,  1863,  containing 
General  Beauregard's  proclamation  declaring  the  block 
ade  of  Charleston  raised.  The  paper  further  states  that 
General  Beauregard  placed  a  steamer  at  the  disposi 
tion  of  the  foreign  consuls,  to  see  for  themselves  that 
no  blockade  existed;  and  that  the  British  consul,  with 
the  commander  of  the  British  war  steamer  Petrel,  had 
previously  gone  five  miles  beyond  the  usual  anchorage 
of  the  blockaders,  and  could  see  nothing  of  them  with 
their  glasses. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  statements  contained 
therein  are  utterly  false,  and  the  Department  will 
appreciate  the  conduct  of  the  commander  of  the 
Petrel. 

A  full  refutation,  in  an  official  form,  will  be  sent 
by  the  next  mail. 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  loth,  1863. 

Captain  C.  O.  BOUTELLE,  Assistant  Coast  Survey,  United 
States  Coast  Survey  Steamer  Bibb : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication  of  the  3ist  ult,  reporting  your  opera 
tions  in  pursuance  of  my  orders  of  the  24th  January. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  411 

Your  examination  of  the  channels  and  water  on 
the  Charleston  bar  seems  to  have  been  conducted  with 
great  skill  and  boldness,  and  I  beg  you  to  receive  my 
thanks  and  commendation  for  the  same,  and  for  the 
important  information  obtained. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  Feb.  nth,  1863. 

Captain  C.  O.  BOUTELLE,  Assistant  Coast  Survey,  United 
States  Coast  Survey  Steamer  Bibb: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  acknowledge  your  communica 
tion  of  February  3d,  reporting  your  proceedings  in 
the  execution  of  my  orders  of  the  3ist  ult,  which, 
in  consequence  of  the  pressure  on  my  available  ves 
sels,  I  was  compelled  to  request  you  to  carry  out. 

But,  whether  in  the  discharge  of  your  more  legiti 
mate  duties  of  the  Coast  Survey,  or  when  called  upon 
to  perform  services  as  a  vessel  of  the  squadron,  I  ever 
find  you  ready  and  willing. 

Your  going  off  and  rescuing  the  transport  steamer 
Pilot  Boy,  wholly  disabled,  belonging  to  General  Fos 
ter's  command,  finding  her  at  sea,  and  towing  her  130 
miles,  is  very  creditable  to  your  energies ;  and  I  pre 
sume  General  Foster  will  make  a  proper  acknowledg 
ment  of  the  same. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


4 1 2  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  nth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  In  my  previous  dispatch  (No.  70),  written 
just  as  the  mail  was  closing,  I  informed  the  Depart 
ment  that  I  would  send  a  refutation,  in  an  official 
form,  of  the  statements  made  in  General  Beauregard's 
proclamation  as  to  the  blockade  of  Charleston,  published 
in  the  Charleston  and  Savannah  papers,  and  accom 
panied  by  assertions  made  with  the  apparent  sanction 
of  certain  foreign  functionaries. 

The  emphatic  letter  of  Captain  Turner  (No.  i), 
the  clear  and  decided  statement  of  the  officers  (No. 
2),  which  he  forwards,  together  with  the  previous 
inquiries  and  examination  of  log-book  made  by  Captain 
Godon,  of  the  Powhatan,  who  was  the  senior  officer 
present,  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  New  Ironsides, 
and  whom  I  had  dispatched  to  Charleston  the  day  of 
the  raid,  leave  me  nothing  to  add,  save  to  call  the 
especial  attention  of  the  Department  to  the  facts  thus 
elicited. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  I2th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  The  Mercedita  having  been  repaired  of  the 
injuries  received  from  an  attack  of  two  rebel  rams 
or  iron-clads,  off  Charleston,  on  the  morning  of  the 
3 ist  ult,  I  am  dispatching  her  to  Philadelphia. 

The  Department  has  been  informed,  in  my  pre 
vious  dispatches,  that  this  vessel  surrendered  to  the 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  413 

rebel  naval  force  on  that  occasion,  and  that  her  crew 
and  officers  were  paroled  by  verbal  agreement,  the 
enemy  having  refused  to  take  off  the  crew  and  offi 
cers,  though  nothing  was  said  of  the  vessel  itself,  be 
lieved  by  both  parties  to  be  sinking. 

The  court  of  inquiry,  which  I  immediately  con 
vened  to  inquire  into  all  the  circumstances  of  this 
surrender,  and  particularly  into  the  terms  of  the  parole, 
have  not  yet  closed  their  investigation,  but  I  have 
scrupulously  avoided  doing  anything  which  could  be 
construed  into  a  violation  of  those  terms,  as  under 
stood  by  me.  No  change  has  been  made  in  her  arma 
ment,  nor  has  anything  been  removed  from  her,  every 
thing  awaiting  the  orders  of  the  Department. 

I  would  not,  in  sending  her  North,  let  her  tow 
the  gunboat  Ottawa,  now  in  the  harbor  and  broken 
down,  which  vessel  I  desire  much  to  get  to  a  navy 
yard.  She  tows,  however,  an  English  steamer,  Ossian, 
referred  to  in  my  dispatch  No.  79.  I  also  send  a  few 
sick  in  her. 

The  proceedings  of  the  court  of  inquiry  will  be 
forwarded  by  next  mail. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S:C.,  Feb.  i6th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  (marked  No.  i), 
a  communication  to  Commander  C.  R.  P.  Rodgers  from 
Arnold  Harris,  who  was  the  master  of  the  sloop  Mer 
cury,  captured  off  Charleston  with  important  dispatches. 


414  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  Department  is  better  informed  than  myself  as 
to  the  previous  connection  of  Mr.  Harris  with  the 
navy,  and  in  what  light  he  should  be  viewed ;  but 
the  important  service  rendered  by  him  in  preventing 
the  destruction  of  the  rebel  dispatches  would  seem  to 
entitle  him  to  some  consideration.  I  am  sure  that 
neither  Admiral  Lee  nor  the  commander  of  the  Brandy- 
wine  would,  any  more  than  myself,  use  towards  this 
individual  any  unnecessary  harshness. 

If  his  statement  be  correct,  his  present  position  is 
that  of  a  deserter  from  the  Confederates ;  and  I  so 
treated  him;  but,  as  I  said  before,  the  Department  may 
have  information  which  places  him  in  an  entirely  dif 
ferent  position. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  i8th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  herewith  the 
proceedings  of  a  court  of  inquiry  in  the  case  of  the 
Mercedita,  with  my  approval. 

After   reporting   the    facts,  the   court   is   of  opinion: 

ist.  That  further  military  proceedings  are  neces 
sary  in  this  case. 

2d.  That  the  parole  given  did  include  the  officers 
and  crew,  but  did  not  include  the  vessel  and  its 
equipment. 

It  will  be,  however,  for  the  Department  to  judge, 
after  reviewing  the  testimony  in  the  case,  whether,  under 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  415 

all    the    circumstances,   further    proceedings    are    neces 
sary. 

It  strikes  me  as  but  fair  to  state  that,  if  the  neg 
lects  pointed  out  by  the  court  had  not  existed,  the 
result  would  still  have  been  the  same.  The  contest 
was  too  unequal;  and  I  respectfully  submit  that  the 
Department  may  find  it  sufficient  to  express  its  dis 
approbation  of  the  want  of  vigilance  and  caution,  with 
out  ordering  a  farther  trial. 

The  thirteen  men  who  deserted  in  a  boat  I 
directed  Captain  Stellwagen  to  place  under  confine 
ment,  and  to  report  the  fact  to  Commodore  Stribling 
on  his  arrival  at  Philadelphia. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  i9th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  The  fleet  captain,  Commander  C.  R.  P. 
Rodgers,  returned  this  evening  from  Wassaw  and 
Ossebaw,  where  I  had  sent  him.  At  the  latter  place 
he  saw  Commander  Worden,  and  examined  the  effect 
of  the  enemy's  shot  on  the  Montauk.  One  result 
referred  to  by  him  had  previously  been  called  to  my 
attention,  though  I  have  not  yet  reported  it  to  the 
Department. 

I  allude  to  the  effect  of  shot  on  the  pilot-house, 
causing,  by  concussion,  or  percussion,  the  large  nuts, 
screwed  on  to  the  bolts  inside,  to  fly  off  with  great 
violence,  wrenching  off  the  end  of  the  bolt  itself.  They 
cross  the  pilot-house  and  rebound  from  the  opposite 
side. 


416  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

This  renders  the  pilot-house  most  dangerous,  and, 
indeed,  if  often  struck,  untenable ;  and  such,  in  the 
engagement  with  the  Ogeechee  battery,  was  almost  the 
case  on  the  Montauk,  nearly  ten  of  these  nuts  having 
been  wrenched  from  the  bolts,  as  above  stated. 

Our  machine  shop  has  been  at  work  making  new 
bolts ;  and  Commander  Worden  would  like  to  have 
them  all  replaced ;  but  they  are  large  and  heavy,  and 
we  shall  not  be  able  to  do  it.  We  are  also  preparing 
a  screen  of  boiler-iron  to  go  around  the  pilot-houses. 

It  may  be  well  to  mention  that  the  above  effect 
was  produced  without  the  round  head  of  the  bolt, 
outside,  being  struck,  but  £>y  the  impact  of  a  shot 
between  the  bolts,  not  weighing  over  a  thirty-two- 
pounder.  No  such  effect  was  produced  on  the  turret. 
Thinking  the  Department  would  like  to  have  these 
facts,  I  write  them  in  haste  to  save  the  mail. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  27th,  1863. 

Commander  JOHN  L.  WORDEN,  United  States  Ship 
Montauk,  Ossebaw : 

SIR  :  —  For  various  reasons,  I  have  determined  to 
test  those  iron-clads  which  as  yet  have  made  but  little 
use  of  their  guns,  and  am  sending  the  Passaic,  Pa- 
tapsco,  and  Nahant,  to  try  the  Genesis  Point  fort. 

You  will  please  act  as  a  reserve,  and  you  will 
have  to  forego  what  I  know  your  gallantry  and  earnest 
desire  would  impel  you  to  do,  join  in.  But  the  Chief 
of  the  Bureau  has  just  cautioned  me,  by  letter,  against 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  417 

the   use    of   the    fifteen-inch  gun ;  none   have   been   fired 
over   three   hundred   times. 

I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  to  say  how  much 
I  have  valued  your  services  in  the  Ogeechee,  and  your 
gallant  attacks  on  the  forts,  which  the  obstructions  pre 
vented  your  capturing. 

Please  give  Captain  Drayton  the  results  of  your 
valuable  experience  there,  and  as  soon  as  you  can  be 
spared,  return  to  Port  Royal. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  Feb.  27th,  1863. 

Captain  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Ship  Passaic, 
Senior  Officer,  Wassaw : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  determined,  for  many  reasons,  most 
of  which  have  been  stated  to  you  by  the  fleet  captain, 
to  try  the  iron-clads  against  the  Genesis  Point  fort, 
on  the  Ogeechee. 

You  will,  therefore,  proceed  to  that  river  and  as 
sume  the  direction  of  this  movement.  A  steamer  is 
sent  to  tow  you  out  of  Wassaw.  Before  leaving  there, 
send  the  surveying  vessels  from  those  waters,  and 
anchor  the  Marblehead  where  you  may  deem  best  for 
covering  the  blockade,  and  at  the  same  time  for  en 
abling  her  to  escape  from  the  Fingal,  should  she  come 
down. 

Commanders  Ammen  and  Downes  leave  in  the 
morning,  and  are  ordered  to  report  to  you,  in  Ossebaw, 
with  their  vessels.  27 


41 8  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Should  the  fort  be  reduced,  it  may  lead  to  the 
capture  of  the  Nashville,  or  her  destruction,  provided 
the  gunboats  can  go  on  up  the  river;  this  I  leave 
to  your  discretion.  Care  should  be  observed,  in  ascend 
ing  the  Ogeechee,  wherever  the  banks  may  offer  pro 
tection  for  riflemen.  I  believe  there  are  no  batteries 
unless  very  recently  erected. 

Commander  Worden  will  be  directed  to  act  as  a 
reserve ;  his  guns  having  been  already  so  much  used 
that  I  feel  compelled  to  require  this  of  him.  His 
services  in  those  waters,  and  his  gallant  attacks  on  the 
fort,  will  enable  him  to  give  you  much  valuable  infor 
mation. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Confidential.) 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  Feb.  2/th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  After  very  mature  deliberation,  I  have  de 
termined  to  test  the  three  iron-clads,  Passaic,  Patapsco, 
and  Nahant,  on  the  Genesis  Point  battery,  on  the 
Ogeechee. 

We  find  much  in  them  to  be  attended  to,  and  on 
a  trip  which  I  made  in  the  Patapsco  up  the  Broad 
river,  though  only  firing  each  gun  twice,  some  import 
ant  matters  were  developed. 

This  operation  will  not  retard  the  great  work,  but 
yield  us  advantages  in  many  ways.  The  Weehawken 
I  hope  will  be  ready  to  try  her  engine  to-morrow; 
great  expedition  has  been  used  on  her. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  419 

I  hope  the  Catskill  will  be  along  soon.  These 
iron-clads  all  require  so  much  to  be  done  that  I  am 
anxious  for  their  early  arrival. 

The   army   is   not   ready,  but   doing   its   best. 

Attempts  to  run  the  blockade  everywhere  are  in 
creasing,  and  from  Fernandina  I  have  news  to-day 
which  makes  me  wish  that  I  had  a  better  vessel  there 
than  the  Mohawk. 

Colonel  Townsend  will  inform  the  Department  that 
we  are  preparing  in  every  possible  way,  and  working 
day  and  night. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  We  are  out  of  provisions,  living  on  the 
army. 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  zd,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  the  De 
partment  of  the  destruction  of  the  privateer  Nashville, 
while  lying  under  the  guns  of  Fort  McAllister,  on  the 
Great  Ogeechee,  Georgia,  by  the  Montauk,  Commander 
Worden,  whose  inclosed  report  states  succinctly  the  in 
teresting  particulars. 

The  Department  is  aware  that  I  have  had  this 
vessel  blockaded  for  eight  months,  and  I  am  indebted 
to  the  extreme  vigilance  and  spirit  of  Lieutenant 
Commander  J.  L.  Davis,  of  the  Wissahickon,  Acting 


42O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Lieutenant  Barnes,  of  the  Dawn,  and  later  of  Lieutenant 
Commander  Gibson,  of  the  Seneca,  for  having  been  able 
to  keep  her  so  long  confined  to  the  waters  of  the 
Ogeechee. 

For  several  months  the  Nashville  was  loaded  with 
cotton,  but,  though  constantly  on  the  alert,  she  never 
ventured  to  run  out.  She  then  withdrew  up  the  Ogee 
chee,  and  re-appeared  after  a  length  of  time,  thoroughly 
fitted  as  a  privateer,  and  presenting  a  very  fine  ap 
pearance. 

Fort  McAllister  was  strengthened,  the  river  staked, 
with  a  line  of  torpedoes  in  front  to  prevent  its  ascent 
by  light  vessels  to  cut  her  out.  She  has  been  fre 
quently  seen  close  under  the  fort,  ready  to  make  a 
dash  if  the  opportunity  offered,  or  was  quietly  wait 
ing  for  an  iron-clad  to  convoy  her  to  sea. 

If  I  am  not  misinformed,  she  had  a  heavy  rifle 
gun  on  a  pivot  as  a  part  of  her  armament,  was  pro 
verbially  fast,  and  would  doubtless  have  rivaled  the 
Alabama  and  Oreto  in  their  depredations  on  our  com 
merce.  I  have,  therefore,  never  lost  sight  of  the  great 
importance  of  keeping  her  in  or  of  destroying  her,  if 
I  could.  I  have  accomplished  both  through  the  zeal 
and  vigilance  of  my  gunboat  captains  mentioned  above, 
and  the  quick  perception  and  rapid  execution  of  Com 
mander  Worden,  who  has  thus  added  to  his  already 
brilliant  services. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  421 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  2d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the"  following 
positions  on  blockade  of  the  vessels  of  this  squadron : — 

At   Georgetown,  United  States  steamer   Conemaugh. 

Off  Bull's    Bay,  United   States  steamer  Lodona. 

Off  Charleston,  United  States  steamers  New  Iron 
sides,  Powhatan,  Canandaigua,  Quaker  City,  James  Adger, 
Augusta,  Huron,  Stettin,  and  schooners  G.  W.  Blunt  and 
America. 

In  Stono,  United  States  steamer  Pawnee,  Unadilla, 
and  Commodore  McDonough. 

In  North  Edisto,  United  States  steamer  South 
Carolina. 

In  St.  Helena,  United  States  barque  Kingfisher. 

In  Wassaw,  United   States   steamer    Marblehead. 

In  Ossebaw,  United  States  steamers  Passaic,  Montauk, 
Patapsco,  Nahant,  Sebago,  Seneca,  Wissahickon,  Dawn, 
and  mortar  schooners  Para,  C.  P.  Williams,  and  Norfolk 
Packet. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  Doboy,  and  St. 
Simon's  Sounds,  United  States  steamers  Paul  Jones, 
Keystone  State,  Potomska,  Wamsutta,  and  barques  Bra- 
ziliera  and  Fernandina. 

In   St.  Andrew's,  United   States  barque    Midnight. 

At   Fernandina,  United    States   steamer   Mohawk. 

In  St.  John's  river,  United  States  steamers  Norwich 
and  Uncas. 

In  Port  Royal,  flag  ship  Wabash,  store  ship  Ver 
mont;  United  States  steamers  Housatonic,  Flag,  Mem 
phis,  Weehawken,  Madgie,  undergoing  repairs  and  taking 


422  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

in     provisions ;     and    tugs    Daffodil,    Columbine,    Pettit, 
Rescue,  and   Dandelion. 

The   United  States  steamer  Flambeau,  and  schooner 
Hope,  are   used   as    dispatch    vessels. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  4th,  1863. 

Captain  P.  DRAYTON,  United  States  Ship  Passaic, 
Senior  Officer,  Ossebaw : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  your  communication  of  yes 
terday,  giving  the  particulars  of  your  attack  on  Fort 
McAllister. 

The  results  have  been  of  great  service  in  testing 
not  only  the  resisting  but  the  aggressive  power  of 
the  iron-clads,  which  will  be  of  much  use  in  future 
operations. 

As  nothing  will  be  gained  by  renewing  the 
attack,  you  will  therefore  withdraw  the  Passaic  and 
all  the  other  vessels  from  Ossebaw,  returning  to  this 
anchorage;  leaving  only  the  Seneca  and  Dawn,  which 
will  assume  such  positions  as  may  be  most  judicious 
in  the  blockade  of  those  waters,  and  which  the  long 
experience  of  Lieutenant  Commander  Gibson  and  Act 
ing  Lieutenant  Barnes  will  enable  them  to  do. 

The  Ericsson  is  still  off  Ossebaw,  ready  to  tow 
the  mortar  schooners  or  other  vessels  here. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  423 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  ist,  1863. 

Commander  JOHN  L.  WORDEN,  United  States  Ship 
Montauk,  Port  Royal : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  interesting  report  of  the  28th  ult,  in 
forming  me  of  the  destruction  of  the  Nashville. 

This  vessel,  after  being  a  long  time  blockaded  in 
the  waters  of  the  Great  Ogeechee,  had  been,  according 
to  the  best  information  I  could  receive,  fitted  out  as  a 
privateer  to  depredate  on  our  commerce.  This  cir 
cumstance  adds  much  to  the  importance  of  her  destruc 
tion  ;  and  I  desire  you  to  receive  my  thanks  for  the 
same,  and  the  expression  of  my  admiration  at  the 
manner  in  which  you  have  accomplished  this  most 
desirable  result,  under  the  guns  of  a  very  strong  fort, 
shielded  from  approach  by  staking  and  torpedoes. 

You  have  thus  added  to  your  already  distinguished 
services  and  well-earned  reputation. 

Will  you  also  convey  to  your  officers  and  crew 
my  commendation  of  their  good  conduct,  not  only  on 
this  occasion,  but  during  the  previous  attacks  of  the 
Montauk  on  the  fort,  and  their  services  generally  in 
the  Ogeechee,  which  you  have  brought  so  favorably 
to  my  notice,  by  reading  to  them  this  communication 
on  the  first  convenient  occasion. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


424  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  6th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  The  Department  has  already  been  informed 
of  my  desire,  before  entering  upon  more  important  ope 
rations,  to  subject  the  various  mechanical  appliances  of 
the  iron-clads  to  the  full  test  of  active  service,  and  to 
give  the  advantage  of  target  practice  to  the  officers 
and  men,  with  their  new  ordnance.  For  this  purpose 
I  had  ordered  a  concentration  in  the  Ogeechee  of  such 
of  these  vessels  as  were  ready,  to  attack  Fort  McAllister, 
and  secure  or  destroy  the  Nashville. 

Before  this  concentration  could  take  place,  the 
Nashville  was  destroyed  by  Commander  Worden,  in 
the  Montauk,  the  particulars  of  which  occurrence  I  re 
ported  to  the  Department  by  the  last  mail. 

The  iron-clads  having,  however,  arrived  in  Ossebaw, 
I  directed  Captain  Drayton,  of  the  Passaic,  to  go  on 
with  the  attack  on  the  fort,  accompanied  by  the  Pa- 
tapsco  and  Nahant ;  the  Montauk  having  been  three 
times  under  fire  of  the  fort,  and  sufficiently  tested,  was 
not  to  join  in. 

I  received,  last  evening,  Captain  Drayton's  detailed 
report  of  his  eight  hours'  bombardment,  with  a  state 
ment  of  the  damage  done  to  his  vessel ;  and  also  the 
reports  of  Commanders  Ammen  and  Downes  to  him, 
all  of  which  are  enclosed  (marked  Nos.  I,  2,  3),  and 
I  think  will  be  read  with  great  interest  by  the 
Department,  for  it  will  not  fail  to  perceive  that  valu 
able  information  has  been  elicited,  and  most  important 
data  obtained;  and  I  feel  thankful  that  this  I  have 
done  without  any  loss  of  life.  Except  that  the  fort 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  425 

might    possibly    protect    another      blockade -runner,    its 
capture   was    of  no   special   practical   importance. 

The  injury  to  the  Montauk  from  the  torpedo  is 
the  most  serious  that  has  occurred,  and  will  require 
some  ten  days  to  repair;  but  the  Department  will  re 
member  the  invaluable  service  she  performed  while  re 
ceiving  it. 

I  think  it  worthy  of  mentioning  that  this  bom 
bardment,  so  fruitful  as  giving  us  experience,  was  wit 
nessed  by  Brigadier-General  Seymour,  the  chief  of 
artillery,  and  Captain  Duane,  the  chief  engineer  of  this 
millitary  department ;  and  I  shall  be  able  to  receive 
from  these  gentlemen  the  results  of  their  observation, 
which,  representing  as  they  do  special  branches  of  the 
military  service,  will  be  interesting  and  important. 

I  cannot  close  this  communication  without  speak 
ing  of  Captain  Drayton,  who  has  been  one  of  my 
commanding  officers  since  October,  1861.  He  has  per 
formed  this  service  with  that  ability,  judgment,  and 
calm  courage  which  has  ever  marked  his  execution 
of  my  orders. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral  Com.  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  yth,  1863. 

Chief  Engineer  ALBAN  C.  STIMERS,  United  States  Navy, 
Port  Royal,  South  Carolina: 

SIR  :  —  Having  expressed  a  desire  to  report  your 
experience  in  the  recent  attack  on  Fort  McAllister  by 
the  iron-clads,  and  being  yourself  on  the  Passaic  dur- 


426  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

ing  the  engagement,  I  have  concluded  to  permit  you 
to  go  North,  although  your  services  are  valuable  here 
in  superintending  the  necessary  repairs  of  the  iron 
clads. 

You  will  therefore  return  in  the  Ericsson,  going 
direct  to  Baltimore,  and  proceed  at  once  to  Washing 
ton,  taking  my  official  dispatches  in  charge. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  yth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR:  —  I  have  just  written  to  the  Department 
(dispatch  119)  about  the  Quaker  City. 

I  have  now  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Depart 
ment  to  other  vessels  of  my  squadron.  The  Uncas 
is  broken  down  almost  entirely ;  the  Norwich  very  little 
better.  These  two  vessels  are  blockading  in  St.  John's 
river,  and  I  have  none  to  relieve  them. 

The  condition  of  the  Mohawk,  stationed  at  Per- 
nandina,  has  already  been  communicated  to  the  Depart 
ment.  The  Madgie  is  here  now  for  repairs,  which  can 
only  be  temporary.  The  Potomska  is  entirely  broken 
down,  and  several  of  the  regular  gunboats  require 
overhauling;  but  I  cannot  spare  them  from  their 
stations  for  this  object. 

I  mention  these  details  in  order  that  the  Depart 
ment  may  be  informed  of  the  true  condition  of  things 
here,  and,  if  possible,  may  dispatch  other  vessels  for 
blockading  duty,  or  I  shall  be  forced  by  circumstances 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  427 

to    withdraw   the   blockading    ships    from    some   of    the 
stations   to   the    southward. 

I  trust  I  need  not  add  that  I  do  not  state  these 
things  in  a  spirit  of  complaint ;  far  from  it.  No  one 
knows  better  than  I  do  how  unprecedented  have  been 
the  requirements  and  tests  on  steam  machinery  brought 
out  by  this  war,  and  the  blockading  service.  Not  to 
haul  fires  for  seventy- five  and  eighty  days,  then  only 
for  two  or  three,  to  be  immediately  followed  up  by 
a  repetition  of  long  service,  has  never  before  been 
attempted. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.C.,  March  nth,  1863. 

Captain  S.  W.  GODON,  United  States  Ship  Powhatan, 
Port  Royal,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  Enclosed  you  will  find  a  medical  survey 
called  at  the  request  of  Surgeon  Mayo. 

To  carry  out  the  recommendation  of  the  medical 
officers,  I  have  to  detach  you  from  the  command  of 
the  Powhatan,  and  you  will  take  passage  for  New 
York  on  the  U.  S.  transport  Arago,  which  leaves  to  - 
morrow,  reporting  by  letter  to  the  Honorable  Secretary 
of  the  Navy. 

I  need  hardly  add  how  much  I  regret  the  neces 
sity  which  imperatively  compels  this  course ;  for  I  know 
the  zeal  and  determination  which  you  have  evinced  to 
serve  throughout  the  war ;  and  this  immediately  fol 
lowing  the  wear  and  tear  of  a  coast  of  Africa  cruise. 


428  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  have  to  thank  you  for  your  valuable  services 
on  this  station  while  under  my  command,  and  for  many 
months  ;  for  your  ceaseless  vigilance  in  conducting  the 
blockade  of  Charleston,  as  senior  officer;  a  service 
which  few  understand,  but  which  has  been  as  thor 
oughly  done  as  the  number  of  vessels  covering  it 
could  accomplish,  and  at  great  hazard  of  losing  the 
ships.  In  this  arduous  work,  with  the  long  services 
which  preceded  it,  you  have  lost  your  health;  but  I 
trust  that  the  rest  you  have  so  fairly  and  honorably 
earned  will  restore  it,  and  you  to  active  service. 

I   enclose   a  copy  of    my  letter   to   the  Department. 
Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  nth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR:  —  I  herewith  enclose  the  report  of  a  medical 
survey  held  to-day  on  Captain  S.  W.  Godon,  of  the 
Powhatan. 

He  has  been  threatened  for  some  time,  and  has 
had  to  yield  to  his  physical  condition,  brought  on  by 
continuous  service  since  October,  1859,  on  tne  coast  of 
Africa,  and  on  this  station,  for  seventeen  months, 
during  the  war,  having  been  out  of  commission  but  a 
very  few  days,  between  the  paying  off  of  the  Mohican 
and  the  fitting  out  of  the  Powhatan. 

He  is  an  officer  of  high  ability  and  great  energy ; 
and  showed  sleepless  vigilance  in  conducting  the  block 
ade  off  Charleston  while  he  was  the  senior  officer  there ; 
having  closed  up  the  ships  more  than  ever  before, 
and  done  all  that  could  be  done  with  the  number  of 
vessels  he  had.  This  has  overworked  him. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  429 

Captain  Godon  has  been  detached,  and  goes  home 
by  the  Arago  to  -  morrow,  with  orders  to  report  to 
the  Department  by  letter. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F,  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  i3th,  1863. 

Captain  T.  TURNER,  United  States  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
off  Charleston,  S.C.  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  to  request  that  the  blockading  line 
be  closed  in  a  little  more  than  it  has  generally  been. 
If  additional  space  be  required  for  the  heavy  vessels 
to  manoeuvre,  in  case  the  rams  come  out,  it  is  the 
more  necessary  that  the  channels  should  be  covered 
by  the  smaller  ones,  which  can  slip  and  run  out  with 
the  information  of  their  approach,  while  watching  the 
blockade  -  runners. 

If  the  latter  once  get  inside  of  a  line  that  is 
well  out,  they  have  it  all  their  own  way  in  finding 
the  channels  and  crossing  the  bars ;  whereas,  when 
the  vessels  are  closer  in,  even  if  the  runners  evade 
them,  they  often  get  on  shore  and  are  lost,  fearing 
to  be  reached  by  shot  or  shell. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  Please  direct  the  Massachusetts  to  call  off 
Stono  and  North  Edisto ;  if  at  night,  order  Acting 
Volunteer  Lieutenant  W.  H.  West  to  make  signal. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


43O  OFFICIAL  D1SPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  i8th,  1863. 

Captain  C.  O.  BOUTELLE,  Assistant  Coast  Survey, 
U.  S.  Coast  Survey  Steamer  Bibb : 

SIR  :  — For  reasons  stated  to  me,  you  have  permis 
sion  to  visit  the  North  on  leave,  and  will,  on  your  ar 
rival,  report  to  Prof.  Bache,  explaining  to  him  the  cir 
cumstances. 

I  trust  that  you  will  be  able  to  return  soon  and 
resume  your  duties  on  the  Bibb. 

I  think  it  well,  however,  to  add  that  among  these 
duties  I  do  not  include  your  patriotic  and  brave  offer 
of  piloting  me  into  Charleston.  This  will  not  be  in 
dispensable,  and  it  in  no  manner  pertains  to  your 
duties.  I  need  not  add,  however,  how  much  I  appre 
ciate  your  volunteering  on  the  occasion  for  such  per 
ilous  service.  You  may,  however,  in  other  ways  render 
me  valuable  service. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Private). 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  2oth,  1863. 

Major  -  General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South  : 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL  :  —  I  thank  you  much  for  the 
perusal  of  Captain  Kinsie's  letter.  It  confirms  what  we 
had  been  told  before  of  the  rather  helpless  condition 
of  the  Georgia.  I  cannot,  however,  withdraw  the  moni- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT,  431 

tors  from  their  repairs  and  preparations  for  so  much 
more  important  work  than  her  destruction.  If  I  could 
get  at  the  Fingal,  it  would  be  much  more  tempting, 
for  I  think  Tatnall  will  try  Port  Royal,  from  what  I 
hear,  as  soon  as  you  and  I  leave  it,  and  I  sometimes 
think  the  forts  ought  to  have  had  traverses.  I  believe, 
however,  the  Wabash  will  be  a  great  bulwark. 

I  think,  too,  that  the  colonel  at  Pulaski  will  have 
to  be  on  the  lookout. 

Thanks  for  the  Savannah  paper.  I  got  much  in 
teresting  information  from  the  deserters,  and  have  tabu 
lated  it  for  easy  reference.  So  soon  as  I  can  get  it 
copied  I  will  send  it  to  you. 

I  am  detaining  the  Conemaugh  for  the  expedition 
you  spoke  of. 

I    am,  General,  yours  most  truly, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  22d,  1863. 

Lieutenant  P.  BRODIE,  Acting  Signal  Officer, 
Flag  Ship  Wabash : 

SIR  :  —  Understanding  that  you  have  been  detached 
from  your  duties  as  signal  officer  on  board  this  ship, 
I  desire  to  express  my  commendation  of  your  services 
during  the  time  you  have  been  on  the  Wabash,  and, 
particularly,  for  the  instruction  which  you  have  given 
to  my  officers. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


432  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  26th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that  I  have  appointed  Robert  Platt,  at  present 
executive  officer  of  the  United  States  Coast  Survey 
steamer  Bibb,  acting  ensign  in  the  United  States  Navy 
from  the  first  of  March,  this  being  the  highest  appoint 
ment  I  can  confer. 

I  would,  however,  recommend  that  the  Department 
should  give  him  the  appointment  of  acting  master 
from  the  same  date.  Mr.  Platt  has  been  of  great 
service  in  the  squadron;  is  an  educated  and  thorough 
seaman ;  and  is,  moreover,  to  pilot  the  fleet  into 
Charleston  harbor,  as  I  have  reason  to  believe  that 
his  knowledge  of  the  channels  exceeds  that  of  any  of 
the  few  pilots  we  have  here,  and  for  which  perilous 
service  he  has  patriotically  volunteered. 

I  may  add  that  there  are  two  other  pilots  in  the 
squadron  holding  the  positions  of  acting  masters,  which 
is  a  further  reason  for  making  the  appointment. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  March  2/th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  De 
partment's  dispatch  of  the  i/th  inst.  in  relation  to  the 
mess  expenses  of  persons  taken  on  prizes,  and  pris 
oners. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  433 

Previous  to  its  receipt,  several  instances  had  oc 
curred  where  passengers  and  others  taken  in  prizes 
had  been  put  by  commanding  officers  of  vessels  in 
other  messes  than  the  ward-room. 

The  parties  were  cheerfully  received,  but  on  pay 
ment  of  their  mess  bills  being  demanded,  the  com 
manding  officers  found  that  they  were  not  authorized 
to  order  the  paymaster  to  settle,  and  therefore  paid 
the  same  out  of  their  own  means. 

This  coming  to  my  knowledge,  I  issued  an  order 
to  the  paymaster  of  the  Vermont  in  one  case,  and 
to  the  paymaster  of  this  ship  in  another,  to  pay  the 
same,  preferring,  in  case  of  the  Department's  refusing 
to  ratify  the  orders,  to  have  the  amounts  charged  to 
myself. 

I  do  not  think  that  the  Department  is  fully  aware 
of  the  difficulties  in  these  cases,  and  how  almost  im 
possible  it  is  to  put  certain  parties,  either  prisoners  or 
taken  on  prizes,  on  the  berth-deck  to  mess  with  the 
crews ;  and  if  placed  in  the  steerage,  engineer's,  or  for 
ward  officers'  mess,  it  does  not  meet  the  point  to 
order  a  ration,  as  this  neither  satisfies  the  parties  receiv 
ing  the  ration,  nor  does  it  compensate  the  mess. 

I  submit  that  some  general  rule,  liable  to  certain 
modifications  by  the  commanding  officer  of  the  squad 
ron,  to  meet  peculiar  cases,  should  be  adopted. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


28 


434  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  March  aoth,  1863. 

Commander  WILLIAM  REYNOLDS,  United  States  Ship 
Vermont,  Port  Royal : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  received  your  communication  of  the 
25th  inst.,  asking  earnestly  to  accompany  the  expedi 
tion  against  Charleston,  if  your  services  are  not  needed 
on  the  Vermont. 

I  appreciate  fully  your  officer -like  and  patriotic 
desire  to  volunteer  for  the  service ;  and  having  deter 
mined  to  leave  the  Wabash,  Commander  Corbin,  and 
ordered  Captain  Steedman  to  Port  Royal,  I  am  grati 
fied  in  being  able  to  grant  your  request. 

So  soon  as  the  Vermont  is  placed  on  the  other 
side,  and  you  have  given  such  instructions  to  Acting 
Master  Grozier  as  may  be  of  service  to  him,  you  can 
proceed  off  Charleston. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  ist,  1863. 

Captain  CHARLES  STEEDMAN,  United  States  Ship  Paul  Jones, 
Senior  Officer,  Port  Royal: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  been  called  upon  by  the  military 
authorities  to  give  protection  to  Hilton  Head  Island, 
and  the  surrounding  waters  and  possessions,  in  my 
absence. 

The  Wabash  and  Vermont  will  move  over  to  the 
Hilton  Head  side  of  the  harbor  for  the  above  purpose. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT,  435 

The  Sebago  will  be  stationed  in  Calibogue  Sound,  to 
prevent  access  to  the  island  from  that  direction.  The 
Madgie,  not  yet  repaired,  will  remain  in  Station  creek 
for  protection  to  the  machine  shop. 

The  Marblehead  is  ordered  up,  and,  with  the  Hale, 
will  add  to  the  force  left  in  this  harbor  for  passing 
exigencies. 

You  will  be  the  senior  officer  present,  and  will 
have  control  and  direction  of  the  naval  force. 

I  would  recommend  your  occasionally  moving 
about  in  the  contiguous  waters,  with  your  own  vessel, 
the  Marblehead,  and  the  E.  B.  Hale,  to  impress  the 
enemy  with  the  idea  that  they  are  watched,  and  having 
an  eye  on  the  security  of  Beaufort. 

I  will  endeavor,  with  the  army,  to  keep  up  a  daily 
communication  with  Port  Royal ;  it  running  one  boat, 
and  I  detailing  the  Flambeau,  or  other  vessel. 

I  have  some  hopes  you  may  be  in  to-night,  that 
I  may  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  and  speaking 
on  these  matters,  but  I  rely  upon  your  long  experi 
ence  on  this  station,  and  your  zeal,  to  meet  all 
emergencies. 

I    leave   early   in    the    morning. 

I  have  given  Commander  Reynolds  permission  to 
go  off  Charleston.  The  Vermont  cannot  do  much,  but 
it  would  be  well  for  you  to  see  to  her  a  little,  as 
she  is  left  under  an  acting  master.  * 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


436  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Flag  Ship  James  Adger, 
North  Edisto,  S.  C.,  April  2d,  1863. 

Commander  T.  TURNER,  United  States  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
off  Charleston : 

SIR  :  —  In  compliance  with  your  request  to  have 
an  experienced  officer  added  to  your  complement,  I 
have  detached  Lieutenant  Commander  Barnes  from  the 
Dawn,  and  ordered  him  to  report  to  you  for  duty. 

You  will  please  send  the  South  Carolina  down  to 
her  station  at  this  place,  where  she  will  be  much 
needed. 

Commander  Rhind  is  charged  with  buoying  the 
channel,  and  goes  with  the  Keokuk  and  Bibb  for  this 
purpose.  You  will  please  give  him  such  assistance  as 
you  can,  and  detail  a  vessel  to  be  anchored,  which  he 
will  require  for  a  stern  range. 

We  are  deficient  in  vessels  to  tow  up  the  iron 
clads  from  here,  and  you  will  send  down  the  Augusta 
and  Memphis  for  this  purpose. 

I  shall  move  up  as  soon  as  the  weather  will 
permit. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  437 

Flag  Ship  James  Adger, 
North  Edisto,  S.  C.,  April  3d,  1863. 

Lieutenant  Commander  W.  GIBSON,  United  States  Ship  Seneca, 
North  Edisto,  South  Carolina  : 

SIR: — In  my  official  dispatch  to  the  Department 
referring  to  the  destruction  of  the  Nashville,  I  have 
not  refrained  from  doing  full  justice  to  the  officers 
and  crews  of  the  gunboats,  who,  for  so  long  a  period, 
by  their  great  watchfulness,  prevented  this  rebel  vessel 
from  proceeding  to  sea. 

It  gives  me  great  pleasure  however  to  express  to 
you,  and  through  you  to  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
Seneca,  my  high  appreciation  of  their  vigilance  in 
maintaining  the  blockade  of  the  Nashville,  and  their 
gallantry  in  aiding  in  her  destruction. 

You    will   please    read   this    letter   at    muster. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Order  of  battle  and  plan  of  attack  upon  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Flag  Ship  James  Adger, 

North  Edisto,   April  4th,    1863. 

The  bar  will  be  buoyed  by  the  Keokuk,  Com 
mander  Rhind,  assisted  by  C.  O.  Boutelle,  Assistant 
U.  S.  Coast  Survey,  commanding  the  Bibb,  by  Acting 
Ensign  Platt,  and  the  pilots  of  the  squadron. 

The  commanding  officers  will,  previous  to  crossing, 
make  themselves  acquainted  with  the  value  of  the 
buoys. 

The   vessels   will,   on   signal    being    made,   form   in 


43  8  O  f-  f-  1C  2 A  L  D1SPA  TCHES  OF 

the   prescribed   order  ahead,    at   intervals   of    one   cable's 
length. 

The  squadron  will  pass  up  the  main  ship  channel 
without  returning  the  fire  of  the  batteries  on  Morris 
Island,  unless  signal  should  be  made  to  commence 
action. 

The  ships  will  open  fire  on  Fort  Sumter  when 
within  easy  range ;  and  will  take  up  a  position  to  the 
northward  and  westward  of  that  fortification,  engaging 
its  left  or  northeast  face,  at  a  distance  of  from  600 
to  800  yards,  firing  low,  and  aiming  at  the  centre 
embrasure. 

The  commanding  officers  will  instruct  their  officers 
and  men  to  carefully  avoid  wasting  a  shot;  and  will 
enjoin  upon  them  the  necessity  of  precision  rather  than 
rapidity  of  fire. 

Each  ship  will  be  prepared  to  render  every  assist 
ance  possible  to  vessels  that  may  require  it. 

The  special  code  of  signals  prepared  for  the  iron 
clad  vessels  will  be  used  in  action. 

After  the  reduction  of  Fort  Sumter,  it  is  probable 
that  the  next  point  of  attack  will  be  the  batteries  on 
Morris  Island. 

The  order  of  battle  will  be  the  line  ahead,  in  the 
following  succession  : 

ist.  —  Weehawken,  with  raft. 

2d.  —  Passaic. 

3d. —  Montauk. 

4th.  —  Patapsco. 

5th.  —  New    Ironsides. 

6th.  —  Catskill. 

;th.  —  Nantucket. 

8th.  —  Nahant. 

9th. —  Keokuk. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DUPONT.  439 

A  squadron  of  reserve,  of  which  Captain  J.  F. 
Green  will  be  the  senior  officer,  will  be  formed  out 
side  the  bar,  and  near  the  entrance  buoy,  consisting  of 
the  following  vessels : 

Canandaigua,  Unadilla, 

Housatonic,  Wissahickon, 

Huron, 

And  will  be  held  in  readiness  to  support  the 
iron-clads  when  they  attack  the  batteries  on  Morris 
Island. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

Copies  of  the  above  furnished  to  all  the  iron-clads, 
and  to  Captain  Green  for  the  outside  squadron. 


Flag  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
Inside  Charleston  Bar,  S.  C.,  April  8th,  1863. 

Major -General  D.  Hunter,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South: 

GENERAL  :  —  The  iron-clads  weighed  anchor  yester 
day  at  noon  to  go  forward  to  attack  Fort  Sumter, 
but  were  delayed  for  nearly  two  hours  by  the  acci 
dent  which  fouled  the  anchor  and  raft  of  the  leading 
vessel,  the  Weehawken. 

The  Ironsides  became  unmanageable  in  the  narrow 
channel,  and  occasioned  further  delay  under  fire,  so 
that,  finding  that  I  should  not  reach  the  obstruction 
before  five  o'clock,  I  ordered  the  vessels  withdrawn 
from  action,  with  the  intention  of  renewing  it  this 
morning. 

During  the  night  I  have  received  the  statements 
of  the  commanding  officers,  and  find  the  ships  so  much 


44O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

damaged  during  their  engagement  as  to  force  me  to 
the  conviction  that  they  cannot  endure  the  fire  to 
which  they  would  be  exposed,  long  enough  to  destroy 
Fort  Sumter,  or  reach  Charleston. 

I  am  now  satisfied  that  that  place  cannot  be  taken 
by  a  purely  naval  attack,  and  I  am  admonished  by 
the  condition  of  these  vessels  that  a  persistence  in  our 
efforts  would  end  in  disaster,  and  might  cause  us  to 
leave  some  of  our  iron-clads  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  which  would  render  it  difficult  for  us  to  hold 
those  parts  of  the  coast  which  are  now  in  our  pos 
session.  I  have  therefore  determined  to  withdraw  my 
vessels,  and  have  written  to  the  Navy  Department  to 
that  effect. 

Respectfully   your  obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
Inside -Charleston  Bar,  S.  C.,  April  8th,  1863. 

Major -General  D.  Hunter,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South  : 

GENERAL  :  —  I  am  this  moment  in  receipt  of  your 
most  gratifying  letter  of  this  date.* 

I  did  not,  however,  require  it  to  satisfy  me  of 
your  deep  sympathy  in  our  operations  of  yesterday, 
intensified  by  the  fact  that  circumstances  beyond  your 
control  prevented  that  which  of  all  things  you  would 
most  have  desired,  an  immediate  and  active  co-opera 
tion. 


*  General  Hunter's  letter  of  April  8th,  1863,  will  be  found  in  the 
loth  volume  of  the  work  entitled,  "War  of  the  Rebellion;  Official 
Records  of  the  Union  and  Confederate  Armies." 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  441 

I  shall  have  your  letter  read  on  every  iron-clad 
of  this  fleet,  so  that  every  officer  and  man  under  my 
command  may  know,  what  has  long  been  familiar  to 
me,  the  heartfelt  sympathy  of  the  Commanding  Gen 
eral  and  of  the  army  of  the  Department  of  the  South. 

With  the  highest  respect,  I  am,  General,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
Inside  Charleston  Bar,  S.  C.,  April  8th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  yesterday  moved  up  with  eight  iron-clads 
and  this  ship,  and  attacked  Fort  Sumter,  intending  to 
pass  it,  and  commence  action  on  its  northwest  face,  in 
accordance  with  my  order  of  battle. 

The  heavy  fire  we  received  from  it  and  Fort 
Moultrie,  and  the  nature  of  the  obstructions,  compelled 
the  attack  from  the  outside.  It  was  fierce  and  obsti 
nate,  and  the  gallantry  of  the  officers  and  men  was 
conspicuous. 

This  vessel  could  not  be  brought  into  such  close 
action  as  I  endeavored  to  get  her.  Owing  to  the  nar 
row  channel  and  rapid  current,  she  became  partly  un 
manageable.  I  was  twice  forced  to  anchor  to  prevent 
her  going  ashore ;  once,  owing  to  her  having  come 
into  collision  with  two  of  the  monitors.  She  could 
not  get  nearer  than  one  thousand  yards. 

Owing  to  the  condition  of  the  tide,  and  an  un 
avoidable  accident,  I  had  been  compelled  to  delay  ac- 


442  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

tion  until  late  in  the  afternoon ;  and  toward  evening, 
finding  no  impression  made  upon  the  fort,  I  made  the 
signal  to  withdraw  the  ships,  intending  to  renew  the 
attack  this  morning.  But  the  commanders  of  the  moni 
tors  came  on  board,  and  reported  verbally  the  injuries  to 
their  vessels;  when,  without  hesitation  or  consultation,  for 
I  never  hold  councils  of  war,  I  determined  not  to  renew 
the  attack,  for  in  my  judgment  it  would  have  con 
verted  a  failure  into  a  disaster.  I  will  only  add  that 
Charleston  cannot  be  taken  by  a  purely  naval  attack, 
and  the  army  could  give  me  no  co-operation.  Had  I 
succeeded  in  entering  the  harbor,  I  should  have  had 
twelve  hundred  men  and  thirty-two  guns ;  but  five  of 
the  iron-clads  were  wholly  or  partially  disabled  after 
a  brief  engagement. 

The  reports  of  the  commanding  officers  will  be 
forwarded  with  my  detailed  report,  and  I  send  Com 
mander  Rhind  home  with  this  dispatch,  whose  vessel 
sank  this  morning  from  the  effects  of  the  bombard 
ment  yesterday,  and  who  will  give  the  Department 
the  information  it  may  desire. 

I  have  alluded  above  only  to  Forts  Sumter  and 
Moultrie,  but  the  vessels  were  also  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  batteries  on  Cumming's  Point,  Mount  Plea 
sant,  the  Redan,  and  Fort  Beauregard. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 

P.  S.  —  Enclosed  are  the  reports  of  the  casualties 
on  the  Keokuk  and  Nahant  (marked  No.  I  and  2). 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  443 

Flag  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
Inside  Charleston  Bar,  S.  C.,  April  8th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  that  I  have  ordered  Commander  A.  C.  Rhind 
to  the  command  of  the  Paul  Jones,  relieving  Captain 
C.  Steedman,  whom  I  have  ordered  to  the  Powhatan. 

Commander  Rhind  having  lost  all  his  effects  by 
the  sinking  of  the  Keokuk,  I  have  ordered  him  to 
proceed  to  Washington  with  my  dispatches,  that  he 
may  have  an  opportunity  to  procure  a  new  outfit ; 
thinking  also  that  the  Department  might  desire  to  see 
an  officer  engaged  in  the  attack  on  the  forts  here. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship   New   Ironsides, 
Off  Charleston,  S.  C.,  April  nth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR: — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  your  dis 
patch  of  April  2d,  1863,  marked  confidential,  and  will 
make  every  effort  to  dispatch  immediately  five  iron 
clads  to  New  Orleans. 

The  Department  has  already  been  informed  of  the 
loss  of  the  Keokuk.  I  will  retain,  in  obedience  to  its 
order,  two,  the  Passaic  and  Montauk,  these  being  the 
most  injured  and  the  weakest,  and  their  fifteen  -  inch 
guns  having  been  much  more  frequently  fired  than 
those  of  the  others. 


444  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

I  did  not  understand  that  the  Department  in 
cluded  the  New  Ironsides  in  its  order;  and  our  failure 
to  take  Charleston  renders  it,  in  my  judgment,  abso 
lutely  necessary  that  she  should  resume  her  station 
off  Charleston  as  the  great  protective  force  of  the 
blockading  vessels  against  raids  from  the  rebel  rams, 
now  increased,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  to  three ;  and 
I  can  assure  the  Department,  from  my  recent  expe 
rience,  that  she  would  be  wholly  unmanageable  in  the 
rapid  currents  of  the  Mississippi. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(Confidential). 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  ijth,  1863. 

Captain  JOHN  RODGERS,  United  States  Ship 
Weehawken,  Port  Royal,  S.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  please  prepare  the  United  States 
iron-clad  Weehawken,  under  your  command,  for  service 
in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  will  report  to  me  so  soon 
as  you  are  ready  to  leave  this  harbor,  when  more  spe 
cific  orders  will  be  given. 

A   steamer   to   tow  you    will    be    got   ready. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  445 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  13th,  1863. 

Captain  J.  L.  WORDEN,  United  States  Ship  Montauk, 
Port  Royal,  S.  G. : 

SIR  :  —  Notwithstanding  your  energetic  and  devoted 
service  in  this  squadron  since  you  joined  it,  closing 
with  your  gallant  attack,  under  my  own  eye,  on  the 
six  forts  defending  the  entrance  of  Charleston  harbor, 
on  the  /th  inst,  I  have  been  painfully  struck  with 
the  condition  of  your  health,  and  deeply  impressed  by 
the  zeal  and  patriotism  which  induced  you,  so  soon,  to 
disregard  it,  and  come  out  in  the  command  of  an 
iron-clad. 

So  satisfied  I  am  of  its  precarious  condition,  and 
your  own  statement  in  reference  to  it,  that  I  do  not 
deem  it  necessary,  under  the  circumstances,  to  order  a 
medical  survey,  unless  you  prefer  it. 

You  will  therefore  consider  yourself  detached 
from  the  Montauk,  and  will  take  passage  in  the  trans 
port  steamer  Cahawba,  reporting  yourself  on  your  ar 
rival,  either  by  letter  or  in  person,  to  the  Honorable 
Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  lyth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  Owing  to  the  continued  ill  health  of  Cap 
tain  John  L.  Worden,  of  the  Montauk,  I  have  detached 
him  from  that  vessel,  and  permitted  him  to  proceed 


446  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OP 

north  in  the  army  transport  Cahawba ;  ordering  him, 
on  his  arrival,  to  report  either  in  person  or  by  letter 
to  the  Department. 

The  services  of  this  gallant  officer  are  too  well 
known  to  the  Department  to  require  any  further  en 
dorsement  from  me.  I  need  only  add  that  in  the  late 
engagement  with  the  forts  in  Charleston  harbor  he 
displayed  his  well-known  zeal  and  bravery.  I  did  not 
deem  it  necessary,  in  his  case,  to  call  for  a  medical 
survey,  for  reasons  expressed  in  my  letter  to  him,  and 
which  I  am  sure  the  Department  appreciates. 

I  have  detached  Commander  Fairfax  from  the 
Nantucket  and  ordered  him  to  the  command  of  the 
Montauk ;  and  Lieutenant  Commander  Newman,  of  the 
Weehawken,  the  senior  executive  officer  of  the  iron 
clads,  to  the  command  of  the  Nantucket. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  i/th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  ot  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  — If  the  Department  can  send  me  one  or 
more  steamers  to  tow  the  iron-clads  to  the  Gulf,  or  to 
replace  those  which  I  may  have  to  take  from  the 
blockading  force,  it  will  be  very  desirable. 

I  have  lost  the  services  of  so  many  vessels  already 
by  breaking  down,  that  the  blockade  will  be  very 
much  weakened.  The  Ottawa,  Quaker  City,  Water 
Witch,  Cimerone,  and  Mercedita  are  now  at  the  North. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  447 

The  Florida  and  the  Bienville  have  been  detached.  The 
Memphis  and  Wissahickon  both  go  North  for  repairs, 
and  the  Mohawk,  Seneca,  Marblehead,  and  Potomska 
are  represented  as  unfit  for  service,  and  the  Keystone 
State  can  do  no  outside  work. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  i4th,  1863. 

Acting  Master  R.  PLATT,  United  States  Ship  Bibb : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  pleasure  to  enclose  your  ap 
pointment  as  Acting  Master  in  the  United  States  Navy, 
and  you  will  report  to  Captain  Boutelle  in  that  capa 
city,  and  continue  your  present  duties  on  the  Bibb. 

I  avail  myself  of  the  occasion  to  express  my  com 
mendation  of  your  pilotage  of  the  Weehawken,  the 
leading  ship  in  the  attack  on  the  Charleston  forts,  on 
the  7th  of  April,  under  my  own  observation,  and  which 
has  been  alluded  to  by  Captain  John  Rodgers,  in  the 
most  favorable  terms,  in  his  official  report. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


448  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Notes  on  the  attack  on  Ft.  Sumter,  April  6th  and  Jth,  1863. 

At  7   a.  m.,  went   on   board    New   Ironsides. 

At  7.10  a.  m.,  under   way. 

At  7.50   a.  m.,  crossed   bar. 

At  8.10  a.  m.,  anchored  inside  the  bar.  All  the 
iron-clads,  by  9  o'clock,  were  at  anchor  inside  the  bar. 

At  I    p.  m.,  fleet   under   weigh. 

At  2  p.  m.,  anchored  in  order,  line  ahead,  the 

weather  being  too  hazy  to  proceed  to  the  attack. 

TUESDAY,  April  yth,  1863. 

At  12  m.,  made  preparatory  signals  to  get  under 
weigh. 

At    12.10   p.  m.,  signal   to   get   under   weigh. 

At  12.50  p.m.,  Weehawken  made  signal,  "Foul 
anchor." 

At  1.15  p.  m.,  Weehawken  made  signal,  "  All 
clear." 

At    1.45    p.  m.,  New   Ironsides   under  weigh. 

At  2.10  p.m.,  Weehawken  signaled,  "Obstructions 
in  my  vicinity." 

At   2.15    p.m.,  flag   ship   signaled,  "Slow   down." 

At  2.40  p.  m.,  flag  ship  signaled,  "  I  have   stopped." 

At  3.05  p.  m.,  Forts  Sumter  and  Moultrie  began 
firing. 

At  3.15  p.  m.,  signaled  to  Weehawken  to  begin 
action. 

At  3.25  p.  m.,  general  signal  to  disregard  motions 
of  Commander- in -Chief. 

At  3.30  p.  m.,  anchored  in  3  fathoms,  and  imme 
diately  hove  up  again;  port  shutter  of  No.  5  gun  shot 
away. 

At  4.05    p.  m.,  signaled   to   iron-clads   to    give    flag 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  449 

ship  more  room  ;  immediately  after,  Catskill  and  Nan- 
tucket  collided  with  us. 

At  4.20   p.  m.,  fired   a   broadside   at    Moultrie. 

At  4.25  p.  m.,  made  signal  to  follow  motions  of 
Commander  -  in  -  Chief. 

At   4.30   p.  m.,  signaled   to   withdraw   from   action. 

At  4.35  p.  m.,  Ironsides  came  to  anchor  in  17 
feet  water. 

At  5  p.  m.,  hove  up  and  fell  back  to  near  the  old 
anchorage. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  isth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  In  my  previous  dispatch  of  April  8th,  I  gave 
a  brief  account  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter  on  the 
afternoon  of  the  /th  inst.,  and  I  have  now  the  honor 
to  present  to  the  Department  a  more  detailed  report. 

On  the  morning  of  the  2d  inst.  I  left  Port  Royal 
for  North  Edisto,  hoisting  my  flag  on  the  United  States 
ship  James  Adger,  Commander  Patterson,  and  crossed 
the  bar  the  same  day. 

As  there  was  some  reason  to  believe  that  on  the 
departure  of  the  iron-clads  from  Port  Royal  there  might 
be  an  attempt  to  commit  a  raid  by  the  Atlanta  and 
other  rams  at  Savannah,  and  as  the  army  was  appre 
hensive  of  an  attack  on  their  positions  at  Hilton  Head 
and  Beaufort,  I  had  ordered  Captain  Steedman  to  Port 
Royal  with  his  vessel,  the  Paul  Jones,  having  pre 
viously  directed  the  Wabash,  Commander  Corbin,  and 
29 


450  OFFICIAL  D1SPA  TCHES  OF 

Vermont,  Commander  Reynolds,  to  be  hauled  over  to 
the  Hilton  Head  shore  to  protect  the  vast  amount  of 
public  property  there.  The  Sebago  was  also  stationed 
in  Calibogue  Sound,  the  Marblehead  in  Savannah  river, 
and  the  E.  B.  Hale  in  Broad  river;  whilst  the  Paul 
Jones,  owing  to  her  light  draft,  was  also  to  make 
frequent  reconnoissances  up  the  latter  stream  and  the 
Beaufort  river. 

On  the  5th  inst.,  having  .provided  steamers  to  tow 
the  iron-clads,  I  left  North  Edisto  for  Charleston,  with 
all  the  vessels  intended  to  participate  in  the  attack  on 
that  place,  and  arrived  there  in  the  afternoon.  In  ac 
cordance  with  my  previous  arrangements,  the  Keokuk, 
Commander  Rhind,  aided  by  Captain  Boutelle  of  the 
United  States  Coast  Survey,  and  Acting  Master  Platt, 
with  Pilot  Godfrey  and  others,  proceeded  at  once  to 
buoy  the  bar,  and  to  report  the  depth  of  water  which 
could  be  availed  of  in  crossing  the  next  morning 
with  the  New  Ironsides. 

The  Patapsco,  Commander  Ammen,  and  the  Cats- 
kill,  Commander  George  W.  Rodgers,  covered  the  Keokuk 
during  this  operation,  and  afterwards  anchored  inside 
of  the  bar,  that  same  evening,  in  order  to  protect  the 
buoys. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  I  crossed  the  bar 
with  the  New  Ironsides,  Commodore  Turner,  and  the 
rest  of  the  iron-clads,  viz. :  Passaic,  Captain  Drayton, 
Weehawken,  Captain  John  Rodgers,  Montauk,  Captain 
John  L.  Worden,  Patapsco,  Commander  Daniel  Ammen, 
Catskill,  Commander  George  W.  Rodgers,  Nantucket, 
Commander  Fairfax,  Nahant,  Commander  Downes,  and 
the  Keokuk,  Commander  Rhind,  intending  to  proceed 
the  same  day  to  the  attack  of  Fort  Sumter,  and  thence 
to  the  city  of  Charleston ;  but,  after  reaching  an  anchor- 


ADMIRAL  S,  F.  DU  PONT.  45  I 

age  inside,  the  weather  became  so  hazy,  preventing 
our  seeing  the  ranges,  that  the  pilots  declined  to  go 
further. 

I  herewith  enclose  (marked  No.  i)  the  order  of 
battle,  and  plan  of  attack,  in  which  the  Weehawken, 
Captain  John  Rodgers,  with  a  raft  in  front,  was  to  be 
the  leading  vessel  of  the  line,  and  the  Keokuk,  Com 
mander  Rhind,  was  to  be  the  last ;  the  New  Ironsides 
being  in  the  centre,  from  which  signals  could  be  bet 
ter  made  to  both  ends  of  the  line. 

On  the  following  day,  April  7th,  at  noon,  this 
being  the  earliest  hour  at  which,  owing  to  the  state 
of  the  tide,  the  pilots  would  consent  to  move,  I  made 
signal  to  the  vessels  to  weigh  anchor;  having  pre 
viously  ordered  them  not  to  reply  to  the  batteries  on 
Morris  Island,  but  to  reserve  their  fire  until  they  could 
pass  Fort  Sumter,  in  case  there  were  no  obstructions, 
and  attack  its  northwest  face. 

The  chain  of  the  Weehawken,  the  leading  vessel, 
had,  however,  become  entangled  in  the  grapnels  of  the 
pioneer  raft,  and  the  vessels  were  delayed  in  moving 
until  about  fifteen  minutes  past  one,  when,  everything 
being  clear,  the  Weehawken  moved  on,  followed  by 
the  Passaic  and  others,  in  the  regular  order  of  battle. 

On  the  way  up,  the  leading  vessel  passed  a  num 
ber  of  buoys  strewed  about  in  every  direction,  causing 
a  suspicion  of  torpedoes,  one  of  which  burst  near  the 
Weehawken,  without,  however,  producing  serious  injury. 

At  ten  minutes  past  two  the  Weehawken,  the 
leading  vessel,  signaled  obstructions  in  her  vicinity,  and 
soon  after  approached  very  close  to  them.  They  ex 
tended  across  the  harbor  from  Fort  Moultrie  to  Fort 
Sumter,  and  were  marked  by  rows  of  casks,  very  near 
together,  and  in  several  lines.  Beyond  these  again, 


452  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

piles  were  seen  extending  from  James'  Island  to  the 
middle  ground. 

At  2.50  the  guns  of  Fort  Moultrie  opened  upon 
the  Weehawken,  followed  shortly  after  by  all  the  bat 
teries  on  Sullivan's  Island,  Morris  Island,  and  Fort 
Sumter. 

Not  being  able  to  pass  the  obstructions,  the  Wee 
hawken,  and  successively  the  Patapsco,  Nahant,  and 
others,  were  obliged  to  turn,  which  threw  the  line  into 
some  confusion  as  the  other  vessels  approached.  This 
was  particularly  the  case  with  the  flag  ship,  which 
became  in  a  measure  entangled  with  the  monitors, 
and  could  not  bring  her  battery  to  bear  upon  Fort 
Sumter  without  great  risk  of  firing  into  them.  She 
was  obliged,  on  her  way  up,  to  anchor  twice  to  pre 
vent  her  going  ashore ;  and  on  one  of  these  oc 
casions,  in  consequence  of  having  come  into  collision 
with  two  of  the  iron-clads. 

The  monitors  and  the  Keokuk  were  able  to  get 
within  easy  range  of  Fort  Sumter,  at  distances  varying 
from  550  to  800  yards,  in  which  positions  they  were 
subjected,  successively,  to  a  tremendous  concentrated  fire 
from  all  the  batteries  on  Sullivan's  Island,  Morris  Island, 
Sumter,  and  others  of  the  most  formidable  kind,  and 
and  from  guns  of  the  heaviest  calibre. 

Not  being  able  to  place  the  New  Ironsides  where 
I  desired,  though  she  was  within  a  distance  of  one 
thousand  yards,  and  evening  approaching,  at  4.30  I 
made  signal  to  withdraw  from  action,  intending  to  re 
new  the  attack  the  next  morning. 

During  the  evening  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
iron-clads  came  on  board  the  flag  ship,  and,  to  my 
regret,  I  soon  became  convinced  of  the  utter  impracti- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  453 

cability  of  taking  the  city  of  Charleston  by  the  force 
under  my  command. 

No  ship  had  been  exposed  to  the  severest  fire  of  the 
enemy  over  forty  minutes,  and  yet,  in  that  brief  period, 
as  the  Department  will  perceive  by  the  detailed  reports 
of  the  commanding  officers,  five  of  the  iron-clads  were 
wholly  or  partially  disabled  ;  disabled  too,  as  the  ob 
structions  could  not  be  passed,  in  that  which  was  most 
essential  to  our  success,  I  mean  in  their  armament,  or 
power  of  inflicting  injury  by  their  guns. 

Commander  Rhind,  with  the  Keokuk,  had  only 
been  able  to  fire  three  times  during  the  short  period 
he  was  exposed  to  the  guns  of  the  enemy,  and  was 
obliged  to  withdraw  from  action  to  prevent  his  vessel 
from  sinking,  which  event  occurred  on  the  following 
morning. 

The  Nahant,  Commander  Downes,  was  most  seri 
ously  damaged,  her  turret  being  so  jammed  as  effect 
ually  to  prevent  its  turning.  Many  of  the  bolts  of 
both  turret  and  pilot-house  were  broken,  and  the  latter 
became  nearly  untenable  in  consequence  of  the  nuts 
and  ends  flying  across  it. 

Captain  P.  Drayton,  in  the  Passaic,  after  the  fourth 
fire  from  the  eleven-inch  gun,  was  unable  to  use  it 
again  during  the  action,  and  his  turret  also  became 
jammed,  though  he  was  after  some  delay  enabled  to 
get  it  in  motion  again.  Commander  Ammen,  of  the 
Patapsco,  lost  the  use  of  his  rifled  gun  after  the  fifth 
fire,  owing  to  the  carrying  away  of  the  forward  cap- 
square  bolts. 

On  the  Nantucket,  Commander  Fairfax  reports  that 
after  the  third  shot  from  the  fifteen-inch  gun,  the  port 
stopper  became  jammed,  several  shot  striking  very  near 


454  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

the  port  and  driving  in  the  plates,  preventing  the  further 
use  of  that  gun  during  the  action. 

The  other  iron-clads,  though  struck  many  times 
severely,  were  still  able  to  use  their  guns;  but  I  am 
convinced  that,  in  all  probability,  in  another  thirty 
minutes  they  would  have  been  likewise  disabled. 

In  the  detailed  reports,  herewith  forwarded,  from 
the  commanding  officers  of  all  the  vessels  engaged 
excepting  that  of  the  New  Ironsides,  not  yet  received 
(respectively  marked  Nos.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9),  the 
Department  will  be  fully  informed  of  the  character 
and  extent  of  the  injuries  received  by  these  vessels, 
to  which  I  have  only  partially  referred. 

I  also  forward,  herewith,  a  statement  in  tabular 
form  (marked  No.  10),  drawn  up  by  .the  ordnance 
officer,  Lieutenant  Mackenzie ;  by  which,  among  other 
things,  it  appears  that  only  139  shot  and  shell  were 
fired  by  our  vessels,  though  during  that  same  period 
the  enemy  poured  upon  us  an  incessant  storm  of 
round  shot  and  shell,  rifled  projectiles  of  all  descrip 
tions,  and  red-hot  shot. 

Any  attempt  to  pass  through  the  obstructions  I 
have  referred  to  would  have  entangled  the  vessels  and 
held  them  under  the  most  severe  fire  of  heavy  ord 
nance  that  has  ever  been  delivered;  and,  while  it  is 
barely  possible  that  some  vessels  might  have  forced 
their  way  through,  it  would  only  have  been  to  be 
again  impeded  by  fresh  and  more  formidable  obstruc 
tions,  and  to  encounter  other  powerful  batteries,  with 
which  the  whole  harbor  of  Charleston  has  been  lined. 

I  had  hoped  that  the  endurance  of  the  iron-clads 
would  have  enabled  them  to  have  borne  any  weight 
of  fire  to  which  they  might  have  been  exposed;  but 
when  I  found  that  so  large  a  portion  of  them  were 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  455 

wholly  or  one-half  disabled,  by  less  than  an  hour's 
engagement,  before  attempting  to  remove  (overcome) 
the  obstructions,  or  testing  the  power  of  the  torpedoes, 
I  was  convinced  that  a  persistence  in  the  attack  would 
only  result  in  the  loss  of  a  greater  portion  of  the 
iron-clad  fleet,  and  in  leaving  many  of  them  inside  the 
harbor  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  slowness  of  our  fire,  and  our  inability  to  oc 
cupy  any  battery  that  we  might  silence,  or  to  prevent 
its  being  restored  under  cover  of  night,  were  difficul 
ties  of  the  gravest  character;  and  until  the  outer  forts 
should  have  been  taken,  the  army  could  not  enter  the 
harbor  nor  afford  me  any  assistance. 

The  want  of  success  will  not,  however,  prevent  me 
from  bringing  to  the  notice  of  the  Department  the 
gallant  officers  and  men  who  took  part  in  this  des 
perate  conflict. 

Commodore  Turner,  of  the  New  Ironsides,  Captain 
Drayton,  of  the  Passaic,  Captain  John  Rodgers,  of  the 
Weehawken,  Captain  J.  L.  Worden,  of  the  Montauk, 
Commander  Ammen,  of  the  Patapsco,  Commander 
George  W.  Rodgers,  of  the  Catskill,  Commander  Fair 
fax,  of  the  Nantucket,  Commander  Downes,  of  the 
Nahant,  and  Commander  Rhind,  of  the  Keokuk,  did 
everything  that  the  utmost  gallantry  and  skill  could 
accomplish  in  the  management  of  their  untried  vessels. 
These  commanding  officers  have  long  been  known  to 
me ;  many  of  them  served  in  this  squadron  before, 
and  were  present  at  the  capture  of  the  Port  Royal 
forts ;  they  are  men  of  the  highest  professional  capa 
city  and  courage,  and  fully  sustained  their  reputations, 
coming  up  to  my  requirements.  I  commend  them  and 
their  reports,  which  speak  of  those  under  them,  to  the 
consideration  of  the  Department. 


456  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  took  my  personal  staff  with  me  to  the  New 
Ironsides.  On  this,  as  on  all  other  occasions,  I  had 
invaluable  assistance  from  the  fleet  captain,  Commander 
C.  R.  P.  Rodgers,  who  was  with  me  in  the  pilot-house 
directing  the  movements  of  the  squadron.  For  now 
over  eighteen  months  in  this  war,  this  officer  has  been 
afloat  with  me,  and,  in  my  opinion,  no  language  could 
overstate  his  services  to  his  country,  to  his  fleet,  and 
to  myself,  as  his  Commander  -  in  -  Chief. 

Lieutenant  S.  W.  Preston,  my  flag  lieutenant,  who 
has  also  been  with  me  for  the  same  period,  exhibited 
his  usual  vigilance  and  zeal,  and  with  that  ability 
which  is  so  far  beyond  his  years,  he  arranged  a  spe 
cial  code  of  signals,  which  was  used,  and  served  on 
the  gun  deck  battery  of  the  New  Ironsides. 

My  aid,  Ensign  M.  L.  Johnson,  full  of  spirit  and 
energy,  made  the  signals  under  difficult  circumstances, 
and  kept  an  accurate  note  of  all  that  were  made  to 
and  from  the  fleet. 

Lieutenant  A.  S.  Mackenzie,  the  ordnance  officer 
of  the  squadron,  had  been  preparing  his  department 
of  the  expedition  with  ceaseless  labor,  care,  and  intel 
ligence.  He  served  also  on  the  gun  deck  of  the 
New  Ironsides. 

The  reserved  squadron  of  wooden  vessels,  referred 
to  in  my  general  order  of  battle,  under  captain  J.  F. 
Green,  of  the  Canandaigua,  were  always  in  readiness, 
but  its  services  in  the  engagement  were  not  called  into 
action. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  457 

P.  S.  —  Since  the  above  was  written,  the  report  of 
Commander  Turner,  of  the  New  Ironsides,  has  been 
received,  and  is  herewith  enclosed  (marked  No.  11). 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  lyth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  am  sending  the  Ericsson,  she  not  being 
required  here  at  this  moment,  to  New  York,  where 
she  may  get  rid  of  her  deck  load  of  bombs,  which, 
after  our  experience  here,  cannot  be  used  except  in 
perfectly  smooth  water;  this  was  tested  in  attempting 
to  use  them  to  destroy  the  Keokuk. 

Should  the  iron-clads  have  to  go  South,  we  shall 
be  much  in  want  of  steamers  to  tow  them,  and  if  the 
Department  should  decide  upon  this,  the  Ericsson  can 
be  sent  South  again.  Her  great  draft  excludes  her 
from  all  the  ports  on  this  coast,  except  Port  Royal. 

I  have  directed  Captain  Lowber  to  report  to  Rear 
Admiral  Gregory. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


458  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  i6th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt,  this  morning,  by  the  Freeborn,  of  your  commu 
nication  of  the  nth  inst,  directing  the  maintaining  of 
a  large  force  off  Charleston,  to  menace  the  rebels,  and 
keep  them  in  apprehension  of  a  renewed  attack,  in 
the  event  of  our  repulse. 

I  have  also  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  a  copy 
of  a  telegraphic  dispatch,  of  the  I3th  inst,  from  Fort 
ress  Monroe,  from  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  Department  will  probably  have  known,  on  the 
1 2th  inst.,  the  results  of  the  attack.  In  my  dispatch 
of  the  i  ith  inst.,  dated  off  Charleston,  the  Department 
was  made  aware  of  my  withdrawal,  with  the  iron-clads, 
from  the  very  insecure  anchorage  inside  the  bar,  and 
just  in  time  to  save  the  monitors  from  an  easterly 
gale,  in  which,  in  my  opinion  and  that  of  their  com 
manders,  they  would  have  been  in  great  peril  of  being 
lost  on  Morris  Island  beach.  Their  ground  tackling 
has  been  found  to  be  insufficient,  and  they  have  from 
time  to  time  dragged,  even  in  close  harbor. 

I  have  since  been  doing  all  in  my  power  to  push 
forward  their  repairs,  in  order  to  send  them  to  the 
Gulf,  as  directed ;  but  I  presume  that  your  dispatch 
of  the  I  ith,  and  the  telegraphic  message  from  the 
President,  revoke  your  previous  order. 

I  shall  spare  no  exertions  in  repairing  as  soon 
as  possible  the  serious  injuries  sustained  by  the  moni 
tors  in  the  late  attack ;  and  shall  get  them  inside 
Charleston  bar  with  all  dispatch,  in  accordance  with 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  459 

the  order  of  the  President.  I  think  it  my  duty,  how 
ever,  to  state  to  the  Department  that  this  will  be  at 
tended  with  great  risk  to  these  vessels  from  the  gales 
which  prevail  at  this  season,  and  from  the  continuous 
fire  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  which  they  can  neither 
silence,  nor  prevent  the  erection  of  new  ones. 

The  New  Ironsides  can  only  cross  the  bar  with 
certainty  at  spring  tides,  which  are  twice  a  month. 
She  is  more  vulnerable  than  the  monitors,  and  at  the 
distance  she  must  necessarily  anchor  could  not  elevate 
her  guns  sufficiently  to  reach  any  batteries  of  the 
enemy,  while  at  the  same  time  she  would  be  liable  to 
injury,  particularly  in  her  wooden  ends,  from  a  fire 
which  she  could  not  return.  If  this  vessel  is  with 
drawn  from  the  blockade,  and  placed  inside,  the  block 
ade  may  be  raised  by  the  rebel  rams  coming  out  of 
Charleston  harbor,  at  night,  by  Maffitt's  channel ;  in 
which  case  she  could  give  no  assistance  to  the  fleet 
outside.  But  for  the  New  Ironsides,  the  raid  of  the 
3 1st  of  January  would  have  been  repeated  with  more 
serious  effect. 

The  lower  and  greater  part  of  Morris  Island  ex 
hibits  a  ridge  or  row  of  sand-hills,  affording  to  the 
enemy  a  natural  parapet  against  the  fire  of  shipping, 
and  facilities  for  erecting  batteries  in  very  strong  posi 
tions.  The  upper  part  of  the  island  is  crossed  by 
Fort  Wagner,  a  work  of  great  strength,  and  covered 
by  the  guns  of  Fort  Sumter.  The  island  is  in  free 
communication  with  Charleston,  and  can,  in  spite  of 
us,  draw  fresh  reinforcements  as  rapidly  as  they  may 
be  required.  Shoals  extend  from  the  island,  which 
prevent  the  near  approach  of  the  monitors ;  and  our 
experience  at  Fort  McAllister  does  not  encourage  me 
to  expect  that  they  will  reduce  well  -  defended  sand 


460  OFFICIAL  D1SPA  TCHES  OF 

batteries,  where  the  damage  inflicted  by  day  is  readily 
repaired  by  the  unstinted  labors  of  the  night. 

The  ships,  therefore,  can  neither  cover  the  land 
ing,  nor  afterwards  protect  the  advance,  of  the  small 
force  of  the  army  available  for  operations  in  this  quar 
ter,  which  will  meet  fresh  troops  at  every  sand-hill, 
and  may  look  also  for  a  reverse  fire  from  the  bat 
teries  on  James'  Island. 

As  it  is  considered  necessary  to  menace  Charles 
ton  by  a  demonstration  of  land  and  naval  forces, 
North  Edisto  will  afford  a  better  point  from  which  to 
threaten  an  advance ;  and  a  concentration  of  troops 
and  ships  in  that  quarter  would  accomplish  the  pur 
pose  of  the  Government  mentioned  in  your  dispatch 
of  the  the  nth  inst;  and  it  is  a  military  point  from 
which  Charleston  could  be  attacked  now,  James  Island 
being  fully  occupied  by  the  enemy's  batteries. 

I  have  deemed  it  proper  and  due  to  myself  to 
make  these  statements,  but  I  trust  I  need  not  add  that 
I  will  obey  all  orders  with  the  utmost  fidelity,  even 
when  my  judgment  is  entirely  at  variance  with  them, 
such  as  the  order  to  re-occupy  the  unsafe  anchorage 
for  the  iron-clads  off  Morris  Island,  and  an  intimation 
that  a  renewal  of  the  attack  on  Charleston  may  be 
ordered,  which,  in  my  judgment,  would  be  attended 
with  disastrous  results,  involving  the  loss  of  this  coast. 

For  eighteen  months,  in  these  waters,  I  have  given 
whatever  of  professional  knowledge,  energy,  and  zeal  I 
possess  to  the  discharge  of  my  duties,  and  to  the  close 
study  of  our  military  and  naval  position  in  the  tenure 
of  the  sea  coast  within  the  limits  of  my  command, 
and  I  claim  to  know  what  best  pertains  to  the  dis 
position  of  my  fleet,  in  carrying  out  the  instructions 
of  the  Department. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  461 

I  know  not  yet  whether  the  confidence  of  the 
Department,  so  often  expressed  to  me,  has  been  shaken 
by  the  want  of  success  in  a  single  measure,  which  I 
never  advised,  though  intensely  desirous  to  carry  out 
the  Department's  orders,  and  justify  expectations  in 
which  I  could  not  share.  I  am,  however,  painfully 
struck  by  the  tenor  and  tone  of  the  President's  order, 
which  seems  to  imply  a  censure,  and  I  have  to  re 
quest  that  the  Department  will  not  hesitate  to  relieve 
me  by  any  officer,  who,  in  its  opinion,  is  more  able 
to  execute  that  in  which  I  have  had  the  misfortune 
to  fail,  the  capture  of  Charleston.  No  consideration 
for  an  individual  officer,  whatever  his  loyalty  and 
length  of  service,  should  weigh  an  instant  if  the  cause 
of  his  country  can  be  advanced  by  his  removal. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  2oth,  1863. 

Captain  J.  RODGERS,  United  States  Ship  Weehawken : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  to  request  that  you  will  give  me 
all  the  facts  and  circumstances  attending  the  use  of 
the  Ericsson  raft,  which  with  so  much  zeal  and  energy 
you  attempted  to  render  of  service,  not  alone  in  the 
attack  on  Charleston,  but  afterwards  with  its  missiles 
to  make  it  available  in  blowing  up  the  Keokuk. 


462  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OP 

In  other  words,  I  should  like  to  have  embodied 
in  official  form  the  several  verbal  reports  you  have 
made  to  me  on  this  subject,  from  time  to  time. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  2oth,  1863. 

Lieutenant  Commander  L.  H.  NEWMAN,  United  States 
Ship  Nantucket: 

SIR  :  —  I  have  addressed  a  communication  to  Cap 
tain  John  Rodgers,  requesting  him  to  give  me  all  the 
facts  and  circumstances  attending  the  use  of  the 
Ericsson  raft  attached  to  the  Weehawken. 

As  you  were  executive  officer  of  the  Weehawken 
at  that  time,  and  may  have  some  distinct  knowledge 
of  your  own,  I  desire  that  you  will  give,  in  an  official 
form,  all  the  information  you  possess  on  this  subject. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  POXT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  2ist,  1863. 

Captain  C.  O.  BOUTELLE,  Assistant  Coast  Survey,  United 
States  Coast  Survey  Steamer  Bibb  : 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  —  Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to 
state  in  writing  what  you  incidentally  mentioned  to  me 
some  time  back,  as  to  the  explanation  made  to  you 
by  Mr.  C.  C.  Fulton,  editor  of  the  Baltimore  Amer- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  463 

ican,  in  relation  to  his  correspondence  with  that  paper, 
while  on  board  the  United  States  transport  Ericsson, 
particularly  as  to  his  relations  with  the  Navy  Depart 
ment  in  reference  thereto. 

Events  have  occurred  which  may  render  this  in 
formation  important  to  me,  and  I  should  regret  to  mis 
quote  you,  or  any  one  else,  in  connection  with  the 
subject  matter  of  it. 

I  am  yours, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  2ist,  1863. 

Commodore  T.  TURNER,  United  States  Ship  New  Ironsides, 
off  Charleston  : 

COMMODORE  :  —  I  have  received  a  copy  of  your 
communication  of  March  nth,  in  reference  to  the  flag 
which  should  be  worn  by  an  officer  holding  the  rank 
of  commodore. 

I  took  no  official  notice  of  that  communication, 
because  I  was  under  the  impression  that  our  conver 
sation  on  the  subject  was  entirely  satisfactory,  and  that 
it  was  a  matter  which  the  Department  alone  could 
regulate. 

As  you  request  me  to  make  a  decision,  I  there 
fore  have  to  direct  that  you  will  hoist  no  broad 
pendant  or  insignia,  as  I  have  no  authority  to  allow 
any  deviation  from  emblems  now  authorized. 

To  prevent  any  misunderstanding  now,  or  in  future, 
with  others,  I  avail  myself  of  this  occasion  to  say  that 
your  authority  off  Charleston  is  in  virtue  of  your  being 


464  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

the  senior  officer  present,  and  is  entirely  irrespective 
of  your  rank.  A  lieutenant  left  as  senior  officer  has 
precisely  the  same  authority  as  a  commodore,  captain, 
or  commander.  As  I  hear  officers  speak  of  command 
ing  a  "division,"  I  think  it  best  to  correct  this  offi 
cially. 

The  Department  alone  can  divide  a  squadron  and 
appoint  an  officer  to  its  command.  I  have  stations 
here,  and  of  course  the  senior  officer  commands. 

I  shall  forward  your  communication  to  the  Depart 
ment  by  next  mail. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  aad,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy: 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  De 
partment  to  an  article  published  in  the  Baltimore 
American,  of  April  I5th,  describing  and  commenting, 
upon  the  attack  by  the  iron-clads  under  my  command, 
on  the  forts  at  Charleston,  in  terms  injurious  to 
myself,  unjust  to  the  officers  whom  I  had  the  honor 
to  lead,  derogatory  to  the  reputation  of  the  naval  ser 
vice,  and  utterly  false  in  its  most  important  particulars. 

I  should  not  consider  it  necessary  or  proper  to 
bring  this  matter  to  the  notice  of  the  Department,  but 
for  two  reasons,  which  seem  to  demand  it.  These 
reasons  are,  first,  that  the  writer  of  the  article  in  ques 
tion,  well  known  to  be  Mr.  C.  C.  Fulton,  of  the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  465 

Baltimore  American,  came  here  in  the  steamer  Erics 
son,  when  that  vessel,  chartered  by  the  Navy  Depart 
ment,  brought  to  this  port  rafts  and  torpedoes ;  and 
came,  I  have  understood,  by  the  sanction  and  with  the 
permission  of  the  Department.  With  this  understand 
ing  I  permitted  Mr.  Fulton  to  go  to  the  Ogeechee  in 
the  Coast  Survey  steamer  Bibb,  Captain  Boutelle,  placed 
under  my  direction  and  protection  by  Professor  Bache, 
superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey.  As  the  time  came 
near  for  the  attack  upon  Charleston,  Mr.  Fulton  was 
still  on  board  the  Ericsson,  from  which  vessel  he  again 
went  on  board  the  Bibb,  and  took  up  his  quarters  with 
Captain  Boutelle. 

Secondly,  I  learned  from  Captain  Boutelle,  quit* 
accidentally,  that  Mr.  Fulton  was  under  an  obligation 
to  send  a  duplicate  of  his  correspondence  to  the  As 
sistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  for  his  censorship,  before 
it  could  be  published.  An  editor  and  correspondent 
of  an  influential  newspaper,  domiciled  with  the  permission 
of  the  Department  on  board  a  steamer  under  its  con 
trol,  and  submitting  his  letters  to  the  inspection  of  one 
of  its  highest  officials,  is  manifestly  in  a  different  posi 
tion  from  ordinary  correspondents  of  the  press,  and 
when  a  reporter  thus  situated  writes  of  an  action  which 
he  witnessed  at  a  distance,  and  presumes  to  represent 
the  sentiments  of  nine-tenths  of  the  officers  present,  it 
becomes  advisable  to  place  upon  the  record  of  the 
Department  a  refutation  of  his  calumnies. 

Although  I  cannot  doubt,  from  the  statements  of 
Captain  Boutelle,  copies  of  whose  letters  on  the  subject 
I  enclose,  that  Mr.  Fulton  had  engaged  to  submit  his 
correspondence  to  the  revision  of  the  Assistant  Secre 
tary  of  the  Navy,  I  desire  to  state  here,  most  expli- 
30 


466  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

citly,  that  I  do  not  for  a  moment  suppose  he  com 
plied  with  that  arrangement  in  this  instance.  The 
honor  and  the  high  standing  of  the  naval  service  of 
the  United  States,  as  signally  manifested  in  this  war, 
as  in  other  wars,  must  be  as  dear  to  the  Assistant 
Secretary  as  to  myself,  and  to  my  brother  officers ;  and 
it  is  simply  impossible  for  me  to  believe  that  he 
should  have  been  aware,  before  its  publication,  of  the 
infamous  statements  contained  in  this  letter. 

But,  as  Mr.  Fulton  avowed  to  Captain  Boutelle, 
and  to  others,  that  he  bore  this  semi-official  relation 
to  the  Department,  and  as  the  Department  afforded 
him,  if  I  have  been  correctly  informed,  the  opportunity 
to  be  present,  it  seems  right  that  I  should,  at  least, 
deny  his  statements  in  a  communication  which  will 
find  its  place  upon  the  records  of  the  Department. 

Mr.  Fulton  assumes  to  express  the  feelings  of 
nine-tenths  of  the  officers,  and  of  all  the  spectators  of 
the  action,  as  to  the  farcical  nature  of  the  assault,  and 
its  disgraceful  abandonment. 

One  of  the  spectators,  whose  opportunities  for  ob 
servation  were  certainly  equal  to  those  of  Mr.  Fulton, 
whose  education  as  a  soldier,  and  whose  position  as 
the  general  commanding  the  land  forces,  then  await 
ing  the  result  of  the  naval  attack,  should  entitle  his 
opinions  to  at  least  equal  consideration,  has  expressed 
his  impression  of  the  assault  in  terms  very  different 
from  those  employed  by  the  editor  of  the  Baltimore 
American.  And  here  I  am  content  to  rest  the  matter 
as  far  as  spectators  are  concerned. 

As  to  the  opinions  of  nine-tenths  of  the  officers 
in  favor  of  the  renewal  of  the  attack,  I  have  only  to 
say  that  I  am  not  aware  of  what  the  impressions  of 
so  large  a  portion  of  the  squadron  may  be;  but,  what 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  467 

is  perhaps  more  germain  to  the  matter,  the  nine  cap 
tains  of  the  nine  iron-clad  vessels,  and  my  fleet  cap 
tain,  were  unanimous  in  their  conviction  that  the  attack 
should  not  be  renewed ;  and  as  the  evidence  of  ex 
perts  upon  the  spot  is  to  be  preferred  even  to  that 
of  other  experts  remote  from  the  scene  of  action, 
whose  opportunities  for  observation  are  less  favorable, 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  how  my  own  determination, 
not  to  resume  the  offensive,  could  be  strengthened. 

This  writer  for  the  press  makes  me  hold  a  council- 
of-war  after  the  attack.  I  did  not  hold  a  council  - 
of- war  either  before  or  after  the  attack;  nor  have  I 
ever  held  a  council -of- war  in  all  my  life.  I  did  not 
desire  to  throw  upon  the  gallant  officers  who  com 
manded  the  iron-clads,  and  who  had  so  nobly  borne 
themselves  in  this  novel  mode  of  warfare,  any  of  the 
responsibility  which  pertained  to  my  own  station ;  and 
I  did  not  hear  their  opinion  as  to  the  withdrawal  of 
the  fleet  until  after  I  had  announced  my  own  deter 
mination  in  the  matter. 

My  decision  on  the  evening  of  the  battle,  after 
ascertaining  the  injuries  received  by  the  vessels,  was 
entirely  my  own ;  and,  after  further  developments,  upon 
a  more  complete  examination  than  was  then  practica 
ble,  the  correctness  of  that  decision  is  fully  confirmed. 

It  was,  however,  most  gratifying  to  me  to  find  my 
own  determination  receive  the  unanimous  and  cordial 
support  of  all  the  commanders  of  the  iron-clads  upon 
the  day  after  it  had  been  announced,  when  they  called 
upon  me  and  expressed,  in  emphatic  terms,  their  con 
viction  that  a  persistence  in  the  naval  attack  upon 
Charleston,  with  the  means  at  my  disposal,  could  af 
ford  no  hope  of  success,  and  could  not  fail  to  result 
in  disaster. 


468  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  Department  selected  these  captains  with  care, 
and  with  a  full  knowledge  of  their  high  professional 
character;  and  I  suppose  that  their  opinion,  thus  coin 
ciding  with  my  own,  and  with  those  of  my  well 
tried  chief  of  staff,  will  stand  the  test  of  impartial  and 
intelligent  criticism,  even  if  adverse  to  those  of  the 
correspondent  of  the  Baltimore  American. 

When  I  made  the  signal  to  withdraw  from  action, 
on  the  evening  of  the  /th,  the  Ironsides  was  but 
slightly  injured,  though  she  had  been  under  a  heavy 
fire.  I  did  not  then  know  the  condition  of  the  moni 
tors,  and  I  recalled  the  ships  only  because  it  was  too 
late  to  attempt  further  to  force  the  obstructions  that 
night.  Subsequently,  when  I  learned  from  the  several 
captains  the  difficulties  they  had  encountered,  the  ex 
tent  of  the  damage  they  had  sustained  in  their  hulls 
and  turrets,  and  the  fact  that  five  out  of  eight  of 
their  vessels  were,  for  the  time,  either  wholly  or  half 
disabled  as  to  the  use  of  their  guns,  it  was  made 
perfectly  clear  to  my  mind  that,  once  entangled  amongst 
the  obstructions,  should  we  attempt  to  pass  them  under 
a  fire  so  crushing  as  that  from  the  forts  had  been, 
even  the  extraordinary  power  of  endurance  pertaining 
to  these  monitors  could  not  sustain  this  fire  again 
during  another  hour  of  attack. 

This  correspondent  reports  that  on  the  morning 
of  the  the  8th,  Mr.  Stimers  and  his  workmen  had  put 
all  the  monitors  in  as  good  condition  as  they  had 
been  on  the  ;th,  before  the  action ;  that  the  turret 
of  the  Nahant  was  freed  from  the  difficulty  which  had 
prevented  it  from  revolving,  and  that  the  workmen  had 
all  left,  at  one  o'clock,  reporting  every  difficulty  as  to 
the  working  of  turrets,  guns,  etc.,  fully  remedied. 

The   turret   of  the    Nahant   did    not   begin   to    turn 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  469 

until  5  p.  m.,  and  it  was  late  at  night  before  she 
could  have  gone  into  action  again.  Seventy-six  bolts 
were  driven  out  of  her  turret  and  pilot-house,  which 
could  not  be  replaced,  and  she  would  have  been  ut 
terly  disabled  by  a  few  more  shot.  The  Weehawken 
thought  her  battery  was  in  good  condition ;  whereas, 
it  was  discovered  that  her  eleven-inch  gun  was  dis 
abled,  and  it  is  not  yet  repaired.  I  will  only  add 
here,  that  the  side  armor  of  the  Weehawken,  at  the 
water's  edge,  was  pierced  through,  and  the  wood  laid 
bare ;  one  more  blow  there,  and  she  would  have  gone 
down.  I  am  having  a  careful  drawing  made  of  this 
fracture  to  send  to  the  Department. 

The  repairs  that  it  was  practicable  to  make  at  the 
time  were  of  course  slight,  and  temporary  in  their 
character.  I  had  hoped  that  those  made  on  the  Passaic, 
after  the  Ogeechee  affair,  would  carry  her  through  this 
fight,  but  she  broke  down  in  forty  minutes,  in  a  worse 
manner  than  she  did  under  her  eight  hours  fire  from 
Fort  McAllister.  The  Nahant  and  Patapsco,  unhurt  in 
that  engagement,  were  almost  immediately  crippled  in 
this  one. 

I  visited  the  monitors  on  the  i8th  inst,  and  upon  ex 
amining  into  their  condition  myself,  I  found  their  captains 
had  rather  underrated  the  damage  they  had  received, 
and  so  far  from  the  seven  vessels  being  in  as  good 
order  by  noon  of  the  8th  as  they  had  been  at  noon 
of  the  7th,  according  to  Mr.  Fulton,  three  of  them 
are  now,  at  this  date,  in  Station  creek,  undergoing  im 
portant  and  much  needed  repairs.  I  wish  I  would 
get  them  out  in  as  good  order  as  they  were  at  noon 
of  the  7th. 

The  writer  states  that  the  naval  officers,  and  my 
self,  have  been  haunted  and  oppressed  by  the  dread 


470  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

of  invisible  torpedoes,  and  of  other  obstructions  in  the 
channel ;  that  the  fear  of  these  ghosts  prevented  the 
success  of  the  attack ;  that  the  Navy  Department  had 
provided  means  for  the  removal  of  these  torpedoes, 
and  that  the  naval  officers  were  afraid  to  use  them. 

Torpedoes  are  not  placed  so  as  to  be  visible. 
The  Cairo  was  destroyed  by  an  invisible  torpedo  in 
the  Western  waters ;  the  Montauk  was  damaged  by 
an  invisible  torpedo  at  Ogeechee ;  an  invisible  torpedo 
exploded  under  or  near  the  Weehawken,  from  whose 
propeller  shaft  250  feet  of  rope,  then  fouled  around 
it,  have  just  been  removed,  and  the  Patapsco  was 
brought  up  by  and  hung  on  to  an  invisible  obstruc 
tion  for  ten  minutes  in  the  focus  of  the  storm  of 
shot.  To  have  ventured  further  into  that  labyrinth 
would  have  been  to  anchor  the  vessels  helplessly  by 
their  sterns  (those  of  them  at  least  that  escaped  the 
invisible  torpedoes),  and  thus  expose  them  to  a  fire 
which  they  could  neither  endure  nor  effectively  return, 
and,  finally,  to  have  allowed  them  to  fall  into  the 
possession  of  the  enemy. 

Imputations  like  these  upon  the  judgment,  the  con 
duct,  and  the  courage  of  officers  of  high  character,  and 
of  long  standing  in  the  service,  who  have  been  tried 
over  and  over  again  in  this  war,  and  who,  in  my  judg 
ment,  have  no  superiors  in  the  navy,  coming  from  a 
person  in  a  manner  endorsed  by  the  Navy  Department, 
and  in  communication  with  it,  have  not  been  received 
with  perfect  composure.  If  Mr.  Fulton  is  correct  in  his 
impeachment  of  these  gentlemen,  then  the  captains  of 
the  four  leading  monitors,  whose  orders  were  to  pass 
around  to  the  northwest  side  of  Sumter,  and  gain  a 
position  off  its  inner  face,  failed  in  their  duty  to  me,  to 
the  service,  and  to  their  country.  Either  they  were  un- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


worthy  of  the  occasion,  or  Mr.  C.  C.  Fulton  is  guilty  of 
the  most  inexcusable  calumniation. 

One  more  item,  and  I  have  done.  Mr.  Fulton  avers 
that  sufficient  experiments  were  not  made  with  the  rafts 
and  torpedoes,  and  states  they  were  condemned  without 
examination,  from  a  dislike  to  Ericsson  and  his  naval 
innovations.  I  refer  the  Department  to  the  letter  of 
Captain  John  Rodgers  upon  the  matter  of  the  rafts  and 
torpedoes,  as  satisfactorily  disposing  of  the  question  of 
experiments,  and  of  their  use  or  disuse  in  the  attack 
upon  Charleston. 

As  to  the  officers  of  the  monitors  being  afraid  to 
blow  up  the  Keokuk  with  these  appliances,  Mr.  Fulton 
certainly  had  the  means  for  obtaining  accurate  informa 
tion  upon  this  point,  from  Chief  Engineer  Robie,  who 
was  likewise  quartered  on  board  the  Ericsson.  The 
Weehawken,  Captain  John  Rodgers,  was  put  at  the  dis 
posal  of  Chief  Engineer  Robie  for  this  purpose,  and 
every  facility  given  to  them  in  my  power  to  afford.  This 
engineer,  who  was  sent  out  by  the  Department  in  charge 
of  the  rafts  and  torpedoes,  did  not  find  it  practicable  to 
use  the  torpedo  against  the  Keokuk,  then  lying  hard 
aground,  remote  from  other  vessels,  and  undisturbed  by 
any  fire  from  the  enemy. 

It  is  possible  to  ask  too  much  of  men  at  certain 
times,  and  under  certain  circumstances  ;  and,  in  this  in 
stance,  to  have  attached  these  rafts  and  torpedoes  to  the 
bows  of  the  monitors,  with  the  expectation  that  these 
vessels  could  be  fought  amid  such  a  storm  of  shot  and 
shell  from  the  enemy,  and  at  the  same  time  carry  on 
submarine  mining  operations,  would,  perhaps,  have  over 
tasked  the  faculties  of  most  persons,  and,  in  all  proba 
bility,  have  "  hoist  the  engineer  with  his  own  petard,"  or, 
if  not  him,  his  friends  instead  of  his  enemy. 


4/2  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

I  now  take  leave  of  this,  the  most  odious  sub 
ject  I  have  ever  had  occasion  to  notice.  Some  other 
assertions  of  Mr.  Fulton,  which  might  be  flatly  con 
tradicted,  I  have  not  discussed ;  nor  have  I  thought 
it  worth  while  to  consider  his  opinion  upon  purely 
professional  points.  To  undergo  the  fire  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  stabs  of  an  assassin  of  character,  at  one  and 
the  same  time,  is  too  much  for  my  philosophy;  and 
for  my  further  protection  against  assaults  of  the  latter 
kind  I  look  for  and  expect  the  countenance  of  the 
Department. 

I  make  this  request  to  the  Department  because 
up  to  the  latest  dates  received  here  none  of  my  offi 
cial  reports  had  been  published ;  while  the  statements 
which  I  have  made  the  subject  of  this  communication 
have  been  spread  unanswered  throughout  the  country. 

So  far  as  I  have  seen,  the  tone  of  the  press, 
generally,  has  been  just,  and  in  many  instances  gen 
erous.  The  exception  is  the  Baltimore  American, 
which  seems  to  have  had  its  own  hostile  proclivities 
heightened  by  an  association  with  an  officer  of  the 
service  whose  name  appears  frequently  and  promi 
nently,  in  its  report,  in  connection  with  the  repairs 
upon  the  iron-clads,  and  in  relation  to  the  torpedoes 
and  the  rafts.  I  mean  Mr.  A.  C.  Stimers,  a  chief 
engineer  in  the  naval  service  of  the  United  States. 
Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  473 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  April  27th,  1863. 

Captain  P.  DRAYTON,  U.  S.  S.  Passaic,  Senior  Officer  present, 
North  Edisto: 

SIR:  —  I  should  be  doing  injustice  to  my  feelings 
and  convictions  as  an  officer,  were  I  to  permit  you  to 
leave  this  squadron  without  expressing  my  very  high 
appreciation  of  your  services  in  it,  now  covering  a 
period  of  eighteen  months. 

In  the  fierce  conflict  which  led  to  the  capture  of 
the  Port  Royal  forts,  and  in  the  attack  on  Sumter  and 
the  defences  of  Charleston,  so  unequal  and  desperate, 
you  were  under  my  own  eye,  and  I  need  not  add, 
on  both  occasions,  you  maintained  your  high  reputation. 

But  to  these  are  to  be  added  your  operations  in 
and  occupation  of  St.  Helena  Sound ;  then  in  the  North 
Edisto,  and  its  occupation ;  your  leading  the  small  ves 
sels  of  the  squadron  through  Cumberland  Sound,  cap 
turing  Fernandina,  and  re-hoisting  the  flag  of  the  Union 
on  Fort  Clinch  ;  and,  afterwards,  your  services  in  the 
Stono  river,  as  senior  officer,  highly  important  in  their 
character,  and  especially  satisfactory  to  me,  and  wherein 
you  co-operated  with  the  army,  noticed  with  high  com 
mendation  in  a  general  order  issued  by  the  command 
ing  general  of  this  Department. 

To  this  long  list  must  be  added  your  recent  ser 
vices  on  the  Ogeechee.  Eight  hours  bombardment  of 
Fort  McAllister,  gallantly  sustained,  though  terminating, 
as  you  predicted,  without  success,  was  highly  creditable 
to  yourself,  officers,  and  crew. 

These  are  services  of  which  any  officer  may  be 
proud,  and  it  gives  me  no  ordinary  gratification  to 
enumerate  them. 


474  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

On  a  recent  occasion,  too,  you  gave  further  evi 
dence  of  that  uncompromising  devotion,  under  trying 
circumstances,  which  has  marked  your  loyal  and  patri 
otic  course  through  this  war.  I  allude  to  your  de 
clining  the  command  of  the  Powhatan,  a  vessel  more 
suited  to  your  rank,  when  I  offered  her  to  you  some 
time  before  the  attack  on  Charleston,  preferring  to 
share  the  dangers  of  that  undertaking  in  the  iron-clad 
Passaic. 

Wishing  you  a  safe  passage,  I  am  respectfully  your 
obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  ist,  1863. 

Lieutenant  Commander  G.  E.  BELKNAP,  United  States  Ship 
New  Ironsides: 

SIR  :  —  I  regret  extremely  that  it  is  not  in  my 
power  to  grant  your  request  for  a  leave  of  absence, 
for  it  would  give  me  pleasure  to  show  in  any  way 
my  appreciation  of  you  and  your  services,  as  an  of 
ficer  in  this  fleet,  so  frequently  brought  to  my  notice 
by  Commodore  Turner,  as  well  as  from  my  own  ob 
servation  ;  but  the  exigencies  of  the  public  service 
will  not  admit  of  it. 

In  a  few  instances,  when  the  duties  of  the  officer 
could  be  fulfilled  during  his  absence,  or  his  services 
spared,  I  have  assumed  the  authority  to  grant  a  short 
leave;  but  the  general  orders  of  the  Department  have 
not  authorized  my  doing  this. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  475 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  ist,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
positions  on  blockade  of  the  vessels  of  this  squadron  : 

At    Georgetown,  United   States   ship    Conemaugh. 

Off  Bull's    Bay,  United    States   ship    Lodona. 

Off  Charleston,'  United  States  steamers  New  Iron 
sides,  Canandaigua,  Flag,  South  Carolina,  Augusta,  Paul 
Jones,  Huron,  Unadilla,  Wamsutta,  schooners  G.  W. 
Blunt  and  America. 

In  Stono,  United  States  steamers  Pawnee  and  Com 
modore  McDonough ;  mortar  schooner  C.  P.  Williams. 

In  North  Edisto,  United  States  iron  clads  Patap- 
sco,  Nahant,  Catskill,  Nantucket,  Montauk  ;  United  States 
Steamers  Sebago,  Seneca;  mortar  schooners  Para  and 
Norfolk  Packet.  • 

In  St.  Helena  Sound,  United  States  bark  King 
fisher. 

In    Wassaw    Sound,    United    States   ship    Cimerone. 

In    Ossebaw   Sound,  United    States  ship  Dawn. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Doboy,  Sapelo,  and  St. 
Simon's  Sounds,  United  States  steamers  Keystone  State, 
Potomska,  Madgie ;  barks  Braziliera  and  Fernandina. 

In    St.  Andrew's,  United    States   bark    Midnight. 

At    Fernandina,  United   States    steamer    Mohawk. 

In  St.  John's  river,  United  States  steamers  Nor 
wich  and  E.  B.  Hale. 

In  Port  Royal,  flag  ship  Wabash ;  store  ships, 
Vermont,  Courier,  and  Valparaiso ;  undergoing  repairs 
and  taking  in  stores,  iron-clad  Weehawken;  steamers 
Housatonic,  Powhatan,  Marblehead,  Stettin,  Uncas ;  tugs 


476  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Daffodil,  Oleander,    O.  M.  Pettit,  Columbine,    Dandelion, 
and   Rescue. 

The  United  States  schooner  Hope  is  used  as  a 
dispatch  boat. 

The  James  Adger  has  gone  to  New  York,  hav 
ing  in  tow  the  United  States  iron-clad  Passaic;  sent 
North  in  obedience  to  orders  from  the  Department. 

Respectfully   your  obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  jd,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

SIR:  —  I  herewith  inclose  copies  of  the  reports 
(marked  Nos.  I  and  2)  of  Commander  Downes,  of  the 
Nahant,  and  his  First  Assistant  Engineer,  F.  J.  Lov- 
ering,  an  experienced  officer,  respecting  the  turret  of 
that  vessel. 

I  also  inclose  (marked  No.  3)  a  slip  from  the 
Baltimore  American,  written,  there  is  every  reason  to 
believe,  either  by  Mr.  Fulton  or  Mr.  Stimers,  in 
which,  among  other  things,  it  is  stated  "  that  the 
damage  done  to  the  Nahant,  Passaic,  and  Weehaw- 
ken,  the  only  vessels  of  the  fleet  really  injured,  was 
completely  remedied  before  noon  on  Wednesday.  The 
turret  of  the  Nahant  is  represented  to  have  been 
wedged  by  a  shot  striking  it  at  the  lower  edge, 
where  it  comes  in  contact  with  the  -deck.  This  was 
not  the  case ;  and  it  was  restored  to  working  condi 
tion,  early  next  morning,  by  Mr.  Farren,  who  found 
that  the  difficulty  was  in  the  socket  of  the  turret,  at 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  477 

the  very  bottom  of  the  vessel,  which  had  been  jarred 
out  of  its  place  by  a  heavy  concussion  on  the  upper 
edge  of  the  turret.  In  two  hours  he  had  it  revolv 
ing  at  the  rate  of  one  and  a  half  minutes  to  the 
current." 

The  Department  will  perceive  by  the  reports  of 
Commander  Downes  and  Mr.  Levering,  that  the  tur 
ret  of  the  Nahant  is  not  yet  in  working  order ;  that 
as  late  as  April  28th,  with  thirty  pounds  of  steam,  it 
required  two  minutes  and  forty  seconds  to  make  one 
revolution ;  and  when  the  pressure  was  reduced  to 
twenty-three  pounds  the  turret  stopped. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  4th,  1863. 

Major- General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South: 

GENERAL  :  —  I  have  delayed  several  days  in  reply 
ing  to  your  communication  of  the  2Qth  ult,  for  reasons 
set  forth  in  my  private  note  of  that  date. 

In  the  meantime  I  have  given  the  subject  matter 
of  your  letter  mature  consideration,  for  I  am  anxious 
to  join  you  in  anything  that  will  promote  the  ends 
in  view. 

Yet,  General,  for  the  present,  and  until  I  can  gain 
some  more  definite  information  as  to  the  position  of 
the  enemy's  floating  battery  Georgia,  and  the  proba 
bility  of  our  being  able  to  do  it  the  slightest  injury, 
it  might  not  be  advisable  to  proceed,  and  for  the  fol 
lowing  reasons : 


4/8  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

ist.  That  nothing  but  a  feint  or  demonstration  can 
be  made  against  Savannah. 

2d.  That  which  you  and  I  intend  merely  as  a 
demonstration,  with  a  definite  object  to  accomplish  there 
by,  will  be  considered  another  repulse,  or  failure,  by 
the  rebels. 

3d.  That  if  troops  follow  our  iron-clads,  and  we  do 
not  land,  it  will  be  looked  upon  in  the  same  light  at 
the  North. 

Should  you  see  these  things  in  the  same  light,  I 
should  prefer  deferring,  for  the  present,  operations  in 
that  quarter. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  i2th,  1863. 

Charges  and  specifications  of  charges  preferred  by  Rear 
Admiral  Samuel  F.  Du  Pont,  commanding  South  At 
lantic  Blockading  Squadron,  against  Chief  Engineer 
Alban  C.  Stimers,  of  the  United  States  Navy. 

CHARGE  FIRST.  —  Falsehood. 

Specification.  —  In  this,  that  between  the  eleventh 
and  fifteenth  days  of  April,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
three,  the  said  Alban  C.  Stimers,  a  chief  engineer  in 
the  United  States  Navy,  being  then  on  board  the 
steam  ship  Arago,  by  the  authority  and  direction  of 
Rear  Admiral  Samuel  F.  Du  Pont,  commanding  the 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  4/9 

South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron,  the  said  Arago 
being  then  on  her  passage  from  Port  Royal,  South 
Carolina,  to  New  York  City,  via  Charleston  bar,  did, 
at  the  table  of  said  steamer,  in  the  presence  of  officers 
of  said  steamer,  and  other  persons,  a  number  of  whom 
were  correspondents  of  the  public  press,  and  at  divers 
other  times  during  the  passage  of  the  said  steamer, 
falsely  assert,  knowing  the  same  to  be  untrue,  that  he 
was  told  by  one  or  more  of  the  commanders  of  the  iron 
clad  vessels  engaged  in  the  attack  upon  the  forts  and 
batteries  in  Charleston  harbor,  on  the  seventh  day  of 
April,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-three,  that  the  attack 
of  that  day  ought  to  have  been  renewed ;  and  that 
they  did  further  state  to  him  that  the  said  iron-clad 
vessels  were  in  fit  condition  to  renew  it;  and  the  said 
Alban  C.  Stimers  did  further  falsely  assert,  knowing  the 
same  to  be  untrue,  that  several  of  the  commanders  of 
the  said  iron-clad  vessels  had  said  to  him,  or  in  his 
presence  and  hearing,  that  they,  the  said  commanders, 
were,  after  the  attack  aforesaid,  "  hot  for  renewing  the 
engagement,"  or  words  to  that  effect. 

CHARGE  SECOND. — Conduct  unbecoming  an  officer 
of  the   Navy. 

WITNESSES  : 

Brigadier-General  George  H.  Gordon,  United  States 
Army. 

Henry   A.  Gadsden,  captain   of  the   Arago. 

Frederic   Gratageau,  purser   of  the   Arago. 

Arthur    Hughes,  chief  engineer   of   the   Arago. 

Fernandez,  doctor   of   the   Arago. 

I.  H.  Baxter,  chief  officer   of  the   Arago. 

C.  C.  Fulton,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Baltimore 
American  and  Commercial  Advertiser. 


480  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Colwell,  of  New  York,  builder  of  one  of  the  iron 
clads,  passenger  in  the  Arago. 

Mars,  coppersmith,  of  New  York,  passenger  on  the 
Arago. 

Commodore   Thomas    Turner,  United    States    Navy. 

Captain    Percival    Dray  ton,  United   States    Navy. 

Captain   John    Rodgers,  United    States    Navy. 

Captain   John    L.  Worden,  United    States    Navy. 

Commander   Daniel   Ammen,    United    States    Navy. 

Commander  Donald  McN.  Fairfax,  United  States 
Navy. 

Commander   John    Downes,  United   States    Navy. 

Commander  Alexander  C.  Rhind,  United  States 
Navy. 

Assistant  Surgeon  George  D.  Slocum,  United  States 
Navy. 

Acting  Assistant  Paymaster  A.  S.  Poor,  United 
States  Navy. 

Specification.  —  In  this,  that  between  the  eleventh 
and  fifteenth  days  of  April,  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-three,  the  said  Alban  C.  Stimers,  a  chief  engineer 
in  the  United  States  Navy,  being  then  on  board  the 
steamship  Arago,  by  the  authority  and  direction  of 
Rear  Admiral  Samuel  F.  Du  Pont,  commanding  South 
Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron,  the  said  Arago  being  on 
her  passage  from  Port  Royal,  South  Carolina,  to  New 
York  City,  via  Charleston  bar,  did,  at  the  table  of 
said  steamer,  in  the  presence  of  officers  of  the  said 
steamer,  and  other  persons,  a  number  of  whom  were 
correspondents  of  the  public  press,  and  at  divers  other 
times  during  the  passage  of  the  said  steamer,  with  the 
intent  to  disparage  and  injure  the  professional  reputa 
tion  of  his  superior  officer,  Rear  Admiral  Samuel  F. 
Du  Pont,  criticise  and  condemn,  in  terms  unbecoming 


ADMIRAL  5.  F.  DU PONT.  481 

the  circumstances,  and  his  position  as  an  officer  of 
the  navy,  the  professional  conduct  of  his  superior  of 
ficer,  Rear  Admiral  Samuel  F.  Du  Pont,  in  the  attack 
upon  the  forts  and  batteries  in  Charleston  harbor,  on 
the  seventh  day  of  April,  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
three  ;  and  did,  with  the  like  intent,  knowingly  make 
false  statements,  using  among  other  improper  and  un 
founded  expressions,  words  in  substance  as  follows  : 
"  That  the  monitors  were  in  as  good  condition  on 
Wednesday,  the  eighth  day  of  April,  eighteen  hundred 
and  sixty-three,  after  they  had  undergone  some  slight 
repairs,  to  renew  the  attack,  as  they  had  been  to 
commence  it  the  day  before ;  that  they  could  go  into 
Charleston  in  spite  of  guns,  torpedoes,  and  obstruc 
tions  ;  and  that  Rear  Admiral  Du  Pont  was  too  much 
prejudiced  against  the  monitors  to  be  willing  to  give 
them  a  fair  trial. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  12th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 
Washington,  D.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  I    have    the   honor    to  enclose    charges   and 

specifications   against  Alban  C.  Stimers,  a  chief  engineer 

in   the   navy    of  the   United   States,  and  to    request   the 

Department   to   arrest   this   officer,  and  to    send    him   to 

this   station   for   trial,  where    most  of  the  witnesses    are. 

In    order   to   ascertain  with    more  precision   the   ex- 

ent    of    his    un-officer-like    conduct,    and     disregard   of 

31 


482  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

truth,  I    was   compelled   to  wait   for    the   arrival  of   the 
Arago,  on    her   present   trip. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  I4th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  Acting  Master  W.  R.  Cressy,  commanding 
the  armed  store  ship  Courier,  has  been  in  connection 
with  this  squadron  since  its  formation,  having,  with  the 
Vandalia,  convoyed  the  coal  fleet  in  October,  1861,  as 
part  of  the  expedition  against  Port  Royal. 

Since  the  above  period,  Acting  Master  Cressy  has 
been  much  under  my  own  observation  in  this  harbor; 
he  has  always  been  prompt  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties,  kept  his  ship  in  good  order,  and  his  crew  in 
proper  discipline,  delivering  the  public  stores  with  sys 
tem  and  dispatch,  and  has  given  me  entire  satisfaction. 

Acting  Master  Cressy  is  desirous  to  have  the 
command  of  a  steamer,  and  I  do  not  hesitate  to  re 
commend  him  for  this  position,  believing  him  well  en 
titled  to  the  consideration  of  the  Department. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  483 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  24th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  herewith  inclose  (marked  No.  i)  an  ap 
plication  to  me,  from  Chief  Engineer  R.  W.  McCleery, 
for  a  leave  of  absence  for  a  month  or  six  weeks. 

The  reasons  assigned  by  him  are  very  strong ; 
but  I  do  not  feel  authorized,  though  approving  his 
request,  to  grant  him  leave  for  the  length  of  time 
asked  for.  I  have  therefore  directed  him  to  proceed 
North  in  the  Massachusetts,  report  to  the  Department, 
and  make  his  application  in  person. 

Chief  Engineer  McCleery  has  been  most  continu 
ous  in  his  services,  not  only  as  engineer  of  the  Wa 
bash,  but  as  superintending  the  constant  repairs  re 
quired  by  the  different  vessels  of  the  squadron;  and 
which  he  has  done  in  a  manner  to  meet  my  cordial 
approbation.  The  hot  season  is  beginning,  and  I  deem 
it  but  just  that  this  officer,  now  absent  from  his  home 
five  years,  and  who  has  been  overworked  here,  should 
have  some  relaxation. 

In  his  absence,  and  until  his  return,  First  Assist 
ant  Engineer  H.  B.  Nones,  of  the  Powhatan,  takes  his 
place. 

Should  the  Department  not  be  disposed  to  grant 
his  application,  Mr.  McCleery  may  return  in  a  supply 
vessel. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


484  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  26th,  1863. 

Major  -  General  D.  HUNTER,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South : 

GENERAL:  —  I  have  received  with  great  pleasure 
your  letter  of  yesterday.  It  would  have  greatly  pained 
me  if  any  misapprehension  should  have  interrupted  the 
cordial  relations  which  have  ever  marked  our  official 
intercourse,  holding  as  we  do  such  important  commands 
on  this  coast,  each  of  which  having  its  special  difficul 
ties,  and  I  am  also  certain  that  you  would  equally  have 
regretted  any  such  circumstances. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  only  letter  I  have  written 
to  the  Navy  Department  on  the  subject  of  the  pris 
oners  in  question;  the  reply  to  which,  dated  the  I3th 
inst,  and  received  the  2ist,  informs  me  of  the  paroling 
of  the  officers  of  the  Isaac  Smith,  and  directs  me  to 
send  the  prisoners  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Ludlow,  at 
Fortress  Monroe. 

I  will  continue  to  hold  them  on  board  of  the 
Vermont  until  I  can  inform  the  Department  of  your 
request  to  hold  them  as  hostages,  and  I  would  re 
spectfully  recommend,  General,  that  you  follow  your  first 
intention  of  writing  to  the  President,  or  Secretary  of 
War. 

For,  as  the  naval  prisoners  on  this  coast,  including 
the  officers  of  the  Isaac  Smith  and  Flambeau,  have  now 
been  exchanged,  the  Navy  Department  might  have  the 
intention  of  exchanging  these  men  for  naval  prisoners 
in  the  West,  or  elsewhere. 

In  the  meantime,  I  think  their  presence  on  board  the 
Vermont  will  have  all  the  moral  effect  you  can  desire, 
and  prevent  any  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  rebels  carry 
ing  out  what  you  and  I  would  so  quickly  resent. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  485 

You  will  ever  find  me  ready  to  co-operate  in  any 
duties  which  may  pertain  to  us  in  common,  and  I 
especially  desire  to  express  my  heartfelt  sympathy  in 
those  delicate  circumstances  of  your  command,  which 
you  have  so  powerfully  and  clearly  set  forth  in  your 
interesting  communication  of  last  evening. 

Perhaps  I  was  not  sufficiently  particular  in  explain 
ing  to  you  that  I  had  no  other  object  in  reference  to 
this  matter  of  the  prisoners,  than  to  keep  myself  tech 
nically  right  with  the  Navy  Department. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  General,  with  great  respect, 
your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  27th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  your  letter  of  the  i$th  inst,  enclosing  one 
from  the  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  which  you 
are  pleased  to  say  will  show  me  the  injustice  of  my 
suspicions  and  conclusions  in  regard  to  that  gentleman. 

I  beg  leave  most  respectfully  to  state  that  in  my 
communication  to  the  Department  I  expressed  no  such 
impressions  or  conclusions  as  are  attributed  to  me. 
On  the  contrary,  I  explicitly  declared  my  belief  that 
Mr.  Fox  had  never  seen  the  scandalous  account  of 
the  action  at  Charleston,  in  the  Baltimore  American, 
or  authorized  its  publication ;  but  I  did  call  the  at 
tention  of  the  Navy  Department  to  the  fact  that  this 


486  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

account  was  published  over  the  initials  of  the  editor 
of  the  American,  who  was  domiciled  on  board  a 
naval  transport,  and  had  openly  declared,  on  this  station, 
that  his  letters  to  his  paper  were  submitted  to  the 
censorship  of  the  Assistant  Secretary,  and  that  he  was 
authorized  to  suppress  any  portion  of  them  to  which 
he  might  object.  Mr.  Fox  asserts,  precisely,  that  in 
which  I  had  already  formally  expressed  my  belief. 

I  have  not  troubled  the  Department  with  other 
libelous  attacks  which  have  appeared  in  a  few  journals 
of  the  day,  and  I  should  not  have  called  its  attention 
to  that  in  the  Baltimore  American,  had  not  its  editor 
assumed  to  speak  with  the  concurrence  of  the  De 
partment,  by  pretending  to  submit  his  letters  to  the 
revision  of  one  of  its  highest  officials. 

Mr.  Fox  states  that  Mr.  Fulton  was  under  no 
obligation  to  send  his  letters  from  this  squadron  to 
him,  and  that  he  has  never  seen  the  letter  of  which 
I  complained,  either  in  print  or  manuscript.  It  is, 
therefore,  to  be  presumed  that  the  letter  was  never 
sent  to  Mr.  Fox,  and  that  Mr.  Fulton's  statement  was 
utterly  untrue,  and  his  ostentatious  exhibition  of  en 
velopes  with  the  printed  address  of  the  Assistant  Sec 
retary  was  only  intended  to  give  a  false  respectability 
to  his  correspondence.  It  was  this  falsely  assumed 
connection  of  Mr.  Fulton  with  the  Navy  Department 
of  which  I  complained;  stripped  of  that,  his  libels  are 
simply  deserving  of  contempt. 

I  should  deeply  regret  having  done  injustice  to 
Mr.  Fox,  with  whom  I  have  always  held  the  most 
friendly  and  cordial  relations ;  and  I  therefore  con 
gratulate  myself  that  in  calling  the  attention  of  the 
Department  to  Mr.  Fulton's  pretensions,  I  held  the  fol 
lowing  explicit  language: 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  487 

"Although  I  cannot  doubt,  from  the  statements  of  Captain 
Boutelle,  copies  of  whose  letters  I  enclose,  that  Mr.  Fulton  had 
engaged  to  submit  his  correspondence  to  the  revision  of  the  As 
sistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  I  desire  to  state  here,  most  expli 
citly,  that  I  do  not  for  a  moment  suppose  that  he  complied  with 
that  arrangement  in  this  instance.  The  honor  and  the  high 
standing  of  the  naval  service  of  the  United  States,  as  signally 
manifested  in  this  war,  as  in  other  wars,  must  be  as  dear  to  the 
Assistant  Secretary  as  to  myself,  and  to  my  brother  officers ;  and 
it  is  simply  impossible  for  me  to  believe  that  he  should  have 
been  aware,  before  its  publication,  of  the  infamous  statements 
contained  in  this  letter." 

You  are  also  pleased  to  say  that  I  am  aware 
that  the  press  of  the  country  has  been  generally 
lenient  and  indulgent  to  me.  You  must  pardon  me 
for  taking  exception  to  this  statement.  I  admit  that 
the  public  press  has  been  generally  just  and  generous 
towards  me ;  but  there  can  be  no  leniency  where  there 
has  been  no  offence,  and  I  claim  to  have  done  my 
whole  duty  to  the  country,  faithfully  and  skillfully, 
in  the  attack  which  I  made  upon  the  defences  of 
Charleston ;  and,  while  I  gratefully  prize  the  generous 
spirit  with  which  my  countrymen  have  received  this 
great  disappointment,  I  ask  for  no  leniency.  The 
terms  in  which  the  Department  is  pleased  to  com 
ment  upon  the  expression  of  my  regret  that  the  of 
ficial  reports  of  the  attack  upon  Charleston  had  not 
been  published,  are  not  gratifying  to  me ;  but  it  is 
my  duty  to  submit  to  your  decision,  and  I  shall  offer 
no  further  comment  upon  the  terms  in  which  that 
decision  is  conveyed. 

I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Department 
to  its  statement  that  I  precipitately  withdrew  from  the 
harbor  of  Charleston,  abandoning  the  great  object  for 
which  we  had  labored  for  so  many  months.  This 
charge  is  a  serious  one,  and  highly  derogatory  to  my 


488  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

professional  character.  When  I  withdrew  the  iron-clad 
vessels  from  action,  on  the  evening  of  the  /th,  I  did 
so  because  I  deemed  it  too  late  in  the  day  to  attempt 
to  force  a  passage  through  the  obstructions  which  we 
had  encountered,  and  I  fully  intended  to  resume  offen 
sive  operations  the  next  day.  But  when  I  received 
the  reports  of  the  commanders  of  the  iron-clads  as  to 
the  injuries  those  vessels  had  sustained,  and  their  per 
formance  in  action,  I  was  fully  convinced  that  a  re 
newal  of  the  attack  could  not  result  in  the  capture  of 
Charleston,  but  would,  in  all  probability,  end  in  the 
destruction  of  a  portion  of  the  iron-clad  fleet,  and  might 
leave  several  of  them  sunk  within  reach  of  the  enemy ; 
which  opinion  I  afterwards  learned  was  fully  shared  by 
all  their  commanders.  I  therefore  determined  not  to 
renew  the  attack. 

But,  had  not  my  professional  judgment,  sustained 
by  all  my  commanding  officers  engaged  in  the  attack, 
decided  against  further  operations,  I  should  have  felt 
compelled,  by  the  imperative  order  of  the  Department, 
dated  the  2d  of  April,  and  received  on  the  Qth,  to 
withdraw  my  vessels.  The  words  of  this  dispatch  I 
beg  leave  to  recall  to  the  attention  of  the  Department : 

"The  exigencies  of  the  public  service  are  so  pressing  in 
the  Gulf  that  the  Department  directs  you  to  send  all  the  iron 
clads  that  are  in  a  fit  condition  to  move  after  your  present 
attack  upon  Charleston  directly  to  New  Orleans,  reserving  to 
yourself  only  two." 

Accompanying  this  dispatch  was  an  unofficial  let 
ter  from  the  Assistant  Secretary,  giving  the  reasons  for 
this  order,  and  closing  with  this  remark :  "  This  plan 
has  been  agreed  upon  after  mature  consultation,  and 
seems  to  be  imperative."  These  documents  were  re 
ceived,  as  I  have  stated,  on  the  Qth  of  April,  and  from 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  489 

the  hands  of  Colonel  Hay,  the  private  secretary  of  the 
President ;  and  three  days  later  I  re-crossed  the  bar 
and  proceeded  to  Port  Royal  to  put  the  iron-clads  in 
condition  for  the  new  duty  assigned  them. 

In  conclusion,  I  respectfully  submit  that  there  has 
been  no  labored  effort  on  my  part  to  depreciate  the  iron 
clad  vessels  under  my  command,  unless  to  report  their 
obvious  defects,  and  place  the  Department  in  possession 
of  the  result  of  the  experience  gained  by  their  com 
manders  and  myself  in  battle,  may  be  so  construed. 

To  report  their  defects  was  not  only  my  plain 
duty,  but  was  also  in  compliance  with  an  order  from 
the  Department  to  the  commanders  of  the  iron-clad 
vessels.  I  cannot  therefore  but  express  my  surprise 
that  the  Department  should  have  felt  authorized  to 
characterize  the  performance  of  this  obvious  duty  as  a 
labored  effort  to  depreciate  the  powers  of  assault  and 
resistance  of  the  iron-clads. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  27th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR: — After  addressing  the  Department  in  refer 
ence  to  the  prisoners  on  board  the  Vermont,  I  received 
an  earnest  request  from  Major-General  Hunter  to  turn 
them  over  to  him  to  be  retained  as  hostages,  he  hav 
ing  received  information  that  one  of  his  captains  had 
been  executed  by  the  rebels. 


49O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Having  referred  their  case  to  the  Department,  I 
considered  it  my  duty  to  wait  for  its  decision,  and  so 
informed  General  Hunter.  Since  then  I  have  received 
the  Department's  reply  to  my  communication,  inform 
ing  me  of  the  parole  of  the  officers  of  the  Isaac 
Smith,  and  authorizing  my  sending  the  prisoners  to 
Fortress  Monroe  for  exchange. 

I  have  promised  General  Hunter  to  retain  them 
still  on  the  Vermont  until  I  can  hear  again  from  the 
Department ;  giving  him  time  also  to  refer  the  matter 
himself,  should  he  desire  to  do  so.  I  hope  the  De 
partment  will  approve  my  doing  this. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  May  28th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  De 
partment's  dispatch  of  May  I5th,  enclosing  a  copy  of  a 
letter  from  Acting  Lieutenant  Conover,  in  reference  to 
the  defences  of  the  city  of  Charleston. 

Lieutenant  Commander  Bacon,  of  the  Commodore 
McDonough,  reported  to  me,  shortly  after  the  capture 
of  the  Isaac  Smith,  the  result  of  the  reconnoissance  up 
the  Stono  river  spoken  of  by  Lieutenant  Conover.  The 
depth  of  water  found  at  the  mouth  of  Wappoo  creek, 
at  low  water,  was  two  feet,  and  the  rise  and  fall  of 
the  tide  '  six  to  seven  feet,  giving  the  greatest  depth, 
at  high  tide,  from  eight  to  nine  feet. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  I) U PONT.  491 

The  Isaac.  Smith  was  one  of  the  lightest  draft 
gunboats  in  the  squadron,  with  a  formidable  battery, 
drawing  about  nine  feet,  and,  as  Lieutenant  Commander 
Bacon  informs  me,  her  captors  took  four  days  to  get 
the  vessel  through  this  cut,  taking  out  her  guns  and 
lightening  her  in  every  way. 

Lieutenant  Conover,  in  recommending  the  attack 
of  Fort  Pemberton  by  iron-clads,  seems  not  to  have 
been  aware  that  none  of  the  monitors,  owing  to  their 
draft,  can  cross  Stono  bar. 

All  operations  in  Stono  river  can  only  be  con 
ducted  by  wooden  gunboats. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  ist,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  to  the  De 
partment  the  following  positions,  on  blockade,  of  the 
vessels  of  this  squadron : 

Off  Merrill's  Inlet,  United  States  steamer  Flam 
beau. 

At   Georgetown,  United  States   steamer  Conemaugh. 

Off  Bull's  Bay,  United  States  steamer  South  Caro 
lina. 

Off  Charleston,  United  States  steamers  New  Iron 
sides,  Canandaigua,  Housatonic,  Powhatan,  Flag,  Augusta, 
James  Adger,  Sebago,  Lodona,  Unadilla,  Marblehead, 
Ottawa,  Stettin,  Dandelion,  and  schooner  Norfolk  Packet. 


492  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

In  Stono  Inlet,  United  States  steamers  Pawnee, 
E.  B.  Hale  ;  mortar  schooner  C.  P.  Williams. 

In  North  Edisto,  United  States  iron-clads  Patapsco, 
Catskill,  Montauk,  Nahant,  and  Nantucket. 

In   St.  Helena,  United    States   bark    Kingfisher. 

In   Wassaw,  United   States   steamer    Cimerone. 

In    Ossebaw,  United   States   steamer   Dawn. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  Doboy,  and  St. 
Simon's,  United  States  steamers  Paul  Jones,  Wamsutta, 
Madgie,  and  bark  Fernandina. 

In   St.  Andrew's,  United    States   bark    Midnight. 

At   Fernandina,  United   States   steamer    Mohawk. 

In  St.  John's,  United  States  steamers  Norwich  and 
Uncas. 

In  Port  Royal,  United  States  flag  ship  Wabash ;  store 
ships  Vermont  and  Valparaiso  ;  iron-clad  Weehawken. 

Undergoing  repairs  and  taking  in  stores,  Chip- 
pewa,  Huron,  Wissahickon,  Commodore  McDonough,  Key 
stone  State,  Wamsutta,  bark  Braziliera;  tugs  Oleander, 
Daffodil,  O.  M.  Pettit,  Rescue,  Columbine,  and  dispatch 
vessel  Hope. 

As  guard  ship,  Port  Royal  Harbor,  United  States 
mortar  schooner  Para. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  3d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR  :  —  I  had  the  honor,  in  a  previous  dispatch,  to 
report  to  the  Department  the  necessity  of  increasing  the 
vessels  in  this  squadron  in  order  to  make  the  blockade 
more  effective,  particularly  off  Charleston. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  493 

I  desire  now  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Department 
to  another  important  point  in  connection  with  the  block 
ade  of  this  coast. 

It  has,  hitherto,  been  maintained  by  wooden  vessels, 
many  of  which  are  of  the  most  vulnerable  character; 
but  the  time  is  approaching  when  they  will  be  liable, 
at  any  moment,  to  be  driven  off  by  iron-clads  of  the 
rebels  from  the  harbors  of  Charleston  and  Savannah, 
and,  if  report  speaks  true,  by  iron-clads  from  abroad. 
To  meet  this  serious  difficulty,  I  have  only  one  vessel 
which  can  do  outside  blockading  duty,  and  that  is  the 
New  Ironsides  ;  and  her  commander  expresses  doubts 
of  her  ability  to  remain  off  Charleston  in  the  hurricane 
season.  The  other  iron-clads,  the  monitors  particularly, 
in  the  coming  hot  season,  are  totally  unfit  for  this  duty. 
They  are  not  sea-going  or  sea-keeping  vessels.  In 
even  a  slight  sea,  the  hatches  must  be  battened  down; 
and  the  effect  upon  the  crew,  if  continued  for  a  brief 
period  in  hot  weather,  would  be  most  deleterious ; 
indeed,  in  such  weather  they  are  not  habitable.  But, 
in  addition  to  this  very  serious  objection,  the  speed  of 
these  vessels,  owing  to  the  foulness  of  their  bottoms,  is 
so  low  that  they  are  not  only  unfit  to  chase,  but  in  a 
gale  of  wind  could  not  keep  themselves  from  going 
ashore.  Even  in  a  strong  tide-way,  owing  to  the 
deficiency  or  weakness  of  their  ground-tackling,  they 
frequently  get  adrift.  These  vessels  can  maintain  a 
blockade  in  inland  waters  ;  but  the  nearest  point  to 
Charleston  where  they  can  be  placed  is  North  Edisto. 

I  have,  on  different  occasions,  referred  to  the 'quali 
ties  of  these  iron-clads  for  keeping  the  sea,  but  I  deem 
it  my  duty  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Department  to 
them  in  an  especial  dispatch. 

In  this  connection  I  forward  a  copy  of  a  letter  from 


494  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

the  commanding   officers  of  the   iron-clads,  addressed  to 
me  when  they  understood  it  might  be  deemed  necessary 
to  order  them  on  blockading  duty  off  Charleston. 
Very   respectfully  your   obedient   servant, 
S.  P.*  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  3d,  1863. 

Commander  W.  E.  LE  ROY,  United  States  Ship  Keystone  State, 
Port  Royal : 

SIR  :  —  You  will  proceed  with  the  Keystone  State, 
under  your  command,  to  Philadelphia,  and  report  your 
arrival  to  Commodore  Stribling,  the  commander  of  the 
yard,  and  through  him  to  the  Navy  Department  by 
letter. 

On  your  way  North  you  will  stop  off  Charleston 
and  communicate  with  Commodore  Turner,  of  the  New 
Ironsides,  the  senior  officer  present. 

As  you  may  be  detached  from  the  Keystone  State, 
and  may  not  return  to  this  station,  I  take  this  occa 
sion  to  express  my  warm  commendation  of  your  ser 
vices  in  this  squadron  during  the  past  eighteen  months. 
Your  cheerful  and  prompt  manner  always  in  executing 
my  orders,  the  good  order  and  discipline  of  your  ship, 
of  which  I  have  had  ample  opportunity  of  judging, 
and  your  gallant  conduct  when  attacked  by  the  rebel 
iron-cfads  off  Charleston,  have  all  been  highly  appreci 
ated  by  me. 

Your  services  in  this  war,  following  immediately 
upon  a  full  cruise  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  entitle  you 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  495 

to  some  relaxation  from  duty,  but  I  hope,  when  you 
do  return  to  active  service  again,  you  will  be  ordered 
to  my  command. 

I  will  thank  you  to  say  to  your  officers  and  men 
that  the  Keystone  State  has  always  done  her  duty  to 
my  satisfaction,  and  that  I  part  with  her  with  regret. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  3d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re 
ceipt  of  the  Department's  communication  on  the  I4th 
ultimo,  informing  me  of  the  receipt  of  my  several  dis 
patches,  accompanied  by  the  reports  of  the  command 
ing  officers  who  participated  in  the  attack  on  the  /th 
of  April  last. 

The  tone  of  this  communication  is  so  different 
from  the  one  which  immediately  followed  it,  dated  on 
the  1 5th  ultimo,  and  to  which  I  have  already  replied 
by  the  Arago,  that  I  desire  to  answer  it  more  at 
length,  and  to  meet  the  statements  of  the  Department, 
as  contained  therein,  as  fully  as  may  be  in  my  power, 
and  with  every  mark  of  consideration  due  to  its  dis 
tinguished  head. 

I  am  well  aware,  as  the  Department  observes, 
that  the  results  at  Charleston  were  not  all  that  were 
wished  for;  and  I  quite  agree  with  the  Department 
that  there  was,  nevertheless,  much  in  them  that  was 
gratifying;  particularly  that  the  loss  of  life  was  so 


496  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

small,  and  the  capacity  of  the  iron-clads  for  enduring 
the  hot  and  heavy  fire  brought  to  bear  upon  them, 
which  would  have  destroyed  any  vessels  of  wood 
heretofore  used  in  warfare,  was  made  so  evident;  but 
I  must  take  leave  to  remind  the  Department  that 
ability  to  endure  is  not  a  sufficient  element  where 
with  to  gain  victories ;  that  endurance  must  be  ac 
companied  with  a  corresponding  power  to  inflict  injury 
upon  the  enemy;  and  I  will  improve  the  present  oc 
casion  to  repeat  the  expression  of  a  conviction,  which 
I  have  already  conveyed  to  the  Department  in  former 
letters,  that  the  weakness  of  the  monitor  class  of  ves 
sels  in  this  latter  important  particular  is  fatal  to  their 
attempts  against  fortifications  having  outlying  obstruc 
tions,  as  at  the  Ogeechee,  and  at  Charleston,  or  against 
other  fortifications  upon  elevations,  as  at  Fort  Darling, 
or  against  any  modern  fortifications  before  which  they 
must  anchor,  or  lie  at  rest,  and  receive  much  more 
than  they  can  return.  With  even  their  diminished 
surface  they  are  not  invulnerable,  and  their  various  me 
chanical  contrivances  for  working  their  turrets  and  guns 
are  so  liable  to  immediate  derangement,  that  in  the 
brief  though  fierce  engagement  at  Charleston,  five  out 
of  the  eight  were  disabled ;  and,  as  I  mentioned  in 
my  detailed  report  to  the  Department,  half  an  hour 
more  fighting  would,  in  my  judgment,  have  placed 
them  all  hors  de  combat. 

The  Department  refers  to  its  order  of  the  nth 
of  April,  and  to  a  telegram  from  the  President,  which 
directed  the  retention  of  the  military  forces  of  the 
United  States  near  to  Charleston  in  view  of  operations 
elsewhere  ;  and  the  Department  states  its  impression 
that  these  dispatches  were  not  in  unison  with  my  con 
victions  ;  and  expresses  its  regret  that  I  should  have 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  497 

been  pained  by  their  nature,  when  nothing  was  further 
from  the  intentions  of  the  President,  or  of  the  Depart 
ment,  than  a  design  to  censure  me  in  those  com 
munications. 

The  letter  of  the  Department,  of  the  nth  of  April, 
was  unexceptionable  ;  but  I  certainly  did  consider  the 
telegram  of  the  President  as  implying  a  censure  upon 
myself;  and  I  desire  most  respectfully  to  submit,  as 
some  evidence  that  such  a  belief  was  not  unreasonably 
entertained  by  me,  that  the  President,  with  great  kind 
ness,  in  a  second  dispatch,  and  before  he  could  have 
known  what  impression  his  first  had  made,  took  occa 
sion  to  state,  much  to  my  gratification,  that  he  had 
not  intended  to  censure  me. 

In  regard  to  the  subject  matter  of  the  order  of 
the  Department  of  the  nth  of  April,  and  to  that  of 
the  accompanying  telegram,  I  desire  to  state  here 
that  the  order  of  the  Department  of  the  2d  of  April 
had  been  received  by  me  on  the  gth,  and  was  so 
imperative  and  so  fully  explanatory  of  the  reasons 
for  making  it,  that  I  had,  as  mentioned  in  my  dispatch, 
No.  267,  proceeded  on  the  I2th,  as  soon  as  was  prac 
ticable,  to  Port  Royal  with  the  monitors,  to  put  them 
under  repairs  before  sending  them  to  their  new  destina 
tion.  The  order  of  the  nth,  and  the  telegram,  found 
me  here  in  compliance  of  this  previous  order  of 
April  2d. 

It  was  in  replying  to  this  telegram,  which  I  then 
believed  to  imply  a  censure  upon  my  action  at  Charles 
ton,  that  I  deemed  it  due  to  myself  to  state  that  I 
had  never  advised  the  attack  on  Charleston ;  and  I 
perceive  the  Department  has  taken  especial  exception 
to  this  expression,  and  has  dwelt  upon  it  at  consider 
able  length  in  its  letter  to  which  I  am  now  replying. 

32 


498  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

A  reference  to  my  correspondence  with  the  Depart 
ment,  and  more  particularly  to  my  letters  to  the  As 
sistant  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  will  certainly  show  that  I 
never  advised  the  attack  on  Charleston  at  all ;  but  that, 
if  made,  it  should  be  accompanied  by  a  sufficient  num 
ber  of  troops  to  insure  success ;  and  an  inspection  of 
this  correspondence,  which,  with  the  Assistant  Secre 
tary,  was  constantly  maintained,  and  which  put  him, 
and,  as  I  supposed,  the  Department  also,  in  full  pos 
session  of  my  views  as  to  every  matter  connected  with 
my  command,  will  relieve  me,  I  feel  assured,  from  the 
imputation  that  I  did  not  keep  the  Department  suffi 
ciently  advised  of  my  opinions  as  to  the  operations 
contemplated  on  this  coast.  And  I  beg  to  refer  to 
the  same  correspondence,  as  containing  all  the  informa 
tion  obtained  by  me  from  every  source,  in  regard  to 
the  defences  of  Charleston;  and  if,  after  such  informa 
tion,  Charleston  harbor  continued  to  be  a  sealed  book 
to  the  Department,  it  was  equally  so  to  me. 

The  Department,  in  continuing  its  remarks  upon  the 
want  of  such  information  from  me  as  the  admiral  com 
manding,  observes,  nevertheless,  "  that  the  feasibility  and 
the  probable  results  of  the  demonstrations  that  were  to 
be  made,  had  been  canvassed  and  fully  understood 
when  I  visited  Washington  last  autumn." 

The  Honorable  Secretary  will  remember  how  very 
few  words  passed  on  the  subject  between  him  and 
myself.  It  was,  however,  more  fully  discussed  with 
the  Assistant  Secretary,  who  proposed  that  I  should 
return  to  my  station  by  way  of  Hampton  Roads,  in 
order  that  we  might  further  canvass  the  matter,  and 
he  accompanied  me  that  far  from  Washington.  But 
nothing  was  matured,  and  for  the  reason  that  all  was 
still  in  the  vague  future.  Not  a  new  iron-clad,  except 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  499 

the  New  Ironsides,  was  yet  finished,  and  the  original 
monitor  was  on  the  dock  in  the  Washington  Navy 
Yard.  The  defects  of  the  New  Ironsides  were  glaring, 
particularly  the  contracted  size  of  her  pilot-house,  and 
its  improper  location  behind  the  enormous  smoke 
stack,  shutting  out  all  view  ahead,  and  most  materially 
interfering  with  the  management  of  the  vessel  in 
battle ;  defects  painfully  realized  in  the  attack  on 
Charleston. 

I  remember,  however,  that  in  our  discussion,  the 
confidence  of  the  Assistant  Secretary  in  the  monitor 
class  of  vessels  was  so  profound  as  to  lead  him  to  say 
that  one  monitor  alone  would  cause  the  immediate 
evacuation  of  Charleston ;  upon  which  occasion,  not 
entertaining  such  unlimited  faith  in  the  powers  of  those 
vessels,  nor  disposed  to  underrate  an  enemy,  I  took 
the  liberty  of  reminding  him  that  one  monitor,  aided 
by  the  Galena  and  Naugatuck,  both  iron-clads,  with 
several  wooden  gunboats,  had  failed  to  take  Fort  Dar 
ling,  notwithstanding  the  great  gallantry  displayed  on 
that  occasion. 

The  Department  will  therefore  perceive  that  when 
I  left  Washington  there  was  really  nothing  matured, 
though  I  was  firmly  impressed  with  the  fixed  deter 
mination  of  the  Department  that  Charleston  should  be 
attacked,  and  that,  with  the  iron-clads,  the  attack  must 
be  successful. 

The  powers  and  adaptability  of  these  vessels  were 
as  much  a  sealed  book  to  me  as  the  defences  of 
Charleston  to  the  Department  ;  but  under  all  the  cir 
cumstances,  to  wit,  the  imperfect  knowledge  of  those 
defences,  and  of  the  powers  of  the  iron-clads,  in  which 
the  Department  had  expressed  unbounded  confidence, 
no  officer  could  hesitate  to  make  the  experiment, — 


5OO  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

and  I  gave  to  it  my  whole  heart  and  energy,  not 
hesitating  to  ask  the  Department  for  all  the  iron-clads 
that  could  be  spared  ;  and  I  am  happy  to  say  that 
the  Department  spared  no  pains  to  increase  the  force 
of  those  vessels. 

While  preparations  were  making,  and  the  comple 
tion  of  the  monitors  was  going  on,  the  trials  in  the 
Ogeechee  took  place.  As  the  Department  is  aware, 
the  results  here  were  most  discouraging.  Two  attacks, 
successively  made  by  one  monitor,  with  gunboats  and 
a  mortar  vessel,  had  no  effect  on  a  fort  of  seven  guns, 
protected  with  piling  and  torpedoes.  This  was  followed 
by  a  bombardment  of  eight  hours  with  three  monitors, 
with  the  gunboats  and  three  mortar  vessels,  and,  as 
before,  with  a  like  result.  The  injuries  to  the  monitors 
were  extensive,  and  their  offensive  powers  found  to  be 
feeble  in  dealing  with  forts,  particularly  earthworks. 

It  may,  perhaps,  be  said  that  it  was  my  duty  to 
have  placed  before  the  Department,  in  more  emphatic 
terms  than  were  used  by  me,  the  deductions  to  be 
drawn  from  these  preliminary  trials  ;  for  if  three  moni 
tors,  with  gunboats  and  mortar  vessels,  following  two 
previous  trials  on  Fort  McAllister,  with  one  monitor 
and  the  wooden  boats,  had  failed  to  reach  or  take  a 
seven-gun  battery,  how  were  eight  or  nine  iron-clads, 
of  all  kinds,  to  capture  the  defences  of  Charleston, 
consisting  of  continuous  lines  of  works  and  forts  ex 
tending  for  several  miles,  and  mounting  some  hundreds 
of  guns  of  improved  make,  and  with  a  more  com 
plicated  and  more  formidable  system  of  obstructions  ? 
But  as  these  were  deductions  patent  on  the  perusal  of 
my  dispatches,  I  did  not  deem  it  necessary  to  do  more 
than  lay  all  the  facts  of  those  trials  before  the  Depart- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  5<DI 

ment  for  its  judgment  and  decision;  and  in  my  dispatch, 
No.  41,  written  as  early  as  January  28th,  1863,  I  ex 
pressed  myself  as  follows  : 

"My  own  previous  impressions  of  these  vessels,  frequently 
expressed  to  Assistant  Secretary  Fox,  have  been  confirmed;  viz., 
that  whatever  degree  of  impenetrability  they  might  have,  there 
was  no  corresponding  quality  of  aggression  or  destructiveness,  as 
against  forts." 

********* 

"This  experiment  also  convinced  me  of  another  impression, 
firmly  held  and  often  expressed,  that  in  all  such  operations,  to 
secure  success,  troops  are  necessary." 

These  facts,  however,  seemed  not  to  have  changed 
the  views  of  the  Department ;  and,  in  accordance  with 
its  previous  orders,  and  its  well-known  determination 
to  effect  the  capture  of  Charleston,  I  determined  to 
make  the  experiment,  and  to  risk,  and  possibly  lose, 
whatever  of  prestige  pertained  to  a  long  and  success 
ful  professional  career,  in  order  to  meet  the  necessi 
ties  of  the  war,  and  the  wishes  of  the  Government. 

The  experiment  was  made ;  and,  in  my  opinion, 
sufficiently,  thoroughly,  and  conclusively.  That  it  did 
not  succeed  in  capturing  the  forts,  and  the  city  of 
Charleston,  is  a  matter  of  regret  as  keen  and  of  dis 
appointment  as  great  to  myself,  and  to  those  who 
shared  in  it,  as  can  be  felt  by  the  Department,  or  by 
the  country.  It  was  not,  however,  without  important 
results ;  for  it  established  anew  the  supremacy  of  ar 
tillery  in  forts,  as  against  floating  batteries,  and  con 
firmed  the  truth  of  the  opinions  expressed  by  me,  in 
my  previous  dispatches,  that  in  all  such  operations,  to 
secure  success,  troops  are  necessary. 

Had  the  land  forces,  on  this  occasion,  been  at  all 
adequate  to  the  emergency,  the  result  might  have  been 


5<D2  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

all  that  the  country  desired.  With  the  army  in  pos 
session  of  the  land  approaches  to  Charleston,  the  attack 
from  the  sea  could  have  been  pushed  to  desperation, 
and  the  sacrifice  of  some  of  the  iron-clad  vessels  could 
then  have  been  properly  made,  as  they  would  not  have 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  But,  unsupported 
by  operations  on  shore,  it  would  have  been  most 
culpable  waste  of  material,  upon  an  unjustifiable  forlorn 
hope,  to  have  carried  the  assault  by  sea  to  extremi 
ties,  with  the  prospect  of  leaving  a  certain  proportion 
of  the  iron-clads  with  the  enemy,  in  condition,  per 
haps,  to  be  raised  and  repaired  by  him,  and  after 
wards  used,  from  interior  lines,  most  effectively  against 
wooden  blockaders. 

The  Department  expresses  disappointment  at  not 
receiving  from  me  suggestions  in  regard  to  future  move 
ments. 

I  stated  to  the  Department  in  my  first  report,  on 
the  8th  of  April,  that,  in  my  judgment,  to  renew  the 
attack  would  convert  a  failure  into  a  disaster,  and  that 
Charleston  could  not  be  taken  by  a  purely  naval 
attack.  In  my  detailed  report  of  the  i$th  of  April, 
I  repeated  that  it  was  wholly  impracticable  to  take 
Charleston  with  the  naval  force  under  my  command. 

In  making  the  above  declarations  without  reserve, 
with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  responsibility  involved, 
and  under  a  high  sense  of  duty,  regardless  of  con 
sequences  to  myself,  I  thought  that  I  would,  at  the 
same  time,  be  relieving  the  Department  of  all  embar 
rassment  in  reference  to  any  immediate  movements,  and 
that  the  Department  would  appreciate  my  motives  in 
so  doing. 

I  did  not,  therefore,  make  any  suggestions  ;  but 
waited  to  hear  from  the  Department  in  acknowledg- 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  ,       503 

ment  of  my  reports  ;  and  I  deeply  regret  to  say,  that 
the  long  and  unusual  silence  maintained  by  the  Depart 
ment  has  been  to  me  a  cause  of  very  sore  disappoint 
ment. 

Coming  out  of  a  battle  of  so  novel  a  character 
as  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  world,  and  being  the 
most  momentous  event  in  the  service  of  this  squadron 
since  its  victory  in  this  harbor,  the  admiral  command 
ing  feels  that  he  had  a  right  to  look  for  ordinary 
official  courtesy,  if  not  for  approval.  The  Department 
has  declined  to  let  my  countrymen  see  my  official 
reports,  and  to  this  I  submit;  but  the  reasons  assigned 
for  this  course  surely  did  not  preclude  me  from  being 
honored  by  an  acknowledgment  of  the  receipt  of  my 
dispatches  in  the  usual  course  of  mail.  For  such 
acknowledgment,  however,  I  waited  in  vain,  until  six 
weeks  had  elapsed  after  the  battle  ;  and  I  had  the 
mortification  of  reading  European  comments  upon  it 
before  I  received  a  line  from  the  Department. 

The  favorable  opportunity  for  the  capture  of  Charles 
ton  presented  itself  when  the  gunboats  first  took  posses 
sion  of  Stono  Inlet,  and  the  army  landed,  under  their 
protection,  on  James  Island,  which  at  that  time  was 
not  strongly  fortified.  The  attack,  however,  failed  from 
causes  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  mention  here,  and 
the  opportunity  was  lost. 

James  Island  has  been  thoroughly  protected  since 
that  event,  and  the  labor  upon  the  harbor  defences  has 
not  ceased  since  the  fall  of  Sumter. 

When  I  stated  to  the  Department  that,  in  my 
opinion,  Charleston  could  not  be  taken  by  a  purely 
naval  attack,  I  wished  to  be  understood  in  the  ordi 
nary  acceptation  of  those  terms  as  used  in  war,  and 
as  conveying  the  idea  of  measuring  the  importance  of 


504  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

the  operation  with  its  cost.  I  do  not  doubt  that  there 
is  material  enough  in  the  country  to  accomplish  this 
result,  in  time ;  but  nevertheless,  obstructions  in  the  way 
may  be  made  insuperable,  and  to  take  a  place  it  must 
first  be  reached. 

By  a  siege,  and  with  the  aid  of  iron-clads  armed 
differently  from  the  present  monitors,  whose  turrets 
could  be  relied  upon  to  continue  to  turn,  at  least,  for 
a  few  hours  consecutively,  and  sufficient  in  number  to 
relieve  the  disabled  ones,  the  forts  can  be  gradually 
reduced  so  as  to  get  at  the  obstructions,  which  can 
not  be  removed  at  night,  or  during  daylight,  by  the 
monitors  while  under  fire;  but  the  Department  will  re 
member  how  opposed  it  was  to  taking  Charleston  by 
siege,  whether  from  Morris  Island,  or  elsewhere. 

The  season  for  such  joint  co-operation  is  now 
passing  away,  as  during  the  summer  James  Island  is 
said  to  be  too  unhealthy  for  whites  to  remain  upon 
it.  This,  though  bad  for  the  enemy,  would  be  fatal 
to  our  troops.  It  is  probable,  taking  into  consideration 
the  number  and  the  strength  of  the  forts  upon  James 
Island,  that  military  science  would  indicate  Bull's  Bay 
as  the  point  from  which  the  army  should  move.  This 
bay  was  suggested  as  available  for  a  base  of  operations 
against  Charleston,  by  the  board  convened  by  the  De 
partment  in  1 86 1. 

If  a  joint  operation,  on  a  sufficient  scale,  is  not  to 
be  undertaken  at  this  moment,  I  see  nothing  to  re 
commend  now  but  to  endeavor  to  enforce  the  block 
ade  of  Charleston,  which  notwithstanding  the  presence 
there  of  a  larger  force  than  I  have  had  before  it  pre 
viously,  is  more  evaded  than  ever. 

The  safety  of  the  blockading  force  must  also  be 
looked  to,  and  I  respectfully  and  earnestly  appeal  to 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  505 

the  Department  to  contemplate  the  condition  of  the 
blockade  of  the  whole  coast  from  North  Carolina  to 
Florida.  If,  as  seems  probable,  it  should  have  to  con 
tend  with  sea-going  iron-clads  of  the  enemy,  preparing 
in  their  own  waters,  and  abroad,  it  is  to  be  greatly 
feared  that  the  monitors  will  not  be  equal  to  the  oc 
casion.  They  can  protect  the  inside  stations,  but  they 
are  not  adapted  for  ocean  work ;  and  iron-clad  vessels, 
that  can  cruise  and  keep  the  sea,  are  now  absolutely 
needed.  The  want  of  such  vessels  will  be  more  im 
peratively  felt  as  the  events  of  this  war  continue  to 
develop  themselves,  and  I  feel  myself  greatly  hampered 
at  this  moment,  because  the  force  under  my  command, 
so  far  as  iron-clads  are  concerned,  is  composed  of  ves 
sels  whose  necessities  require  them  to  be  kept  in 
smooth  water. 

But  as  I  have  already  called  the  attention  of  the 
Department  to  this  subject  in  a  special  dispatch,  I 
need  not  dwell  any  further  upon  it  at  present. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  6th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  De 
partment's  dispatch  of  the  22d  ultimo,  inclosing  an 
article  from  the  Charleston  Mercury,  in  which  it  is 


506  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

stated   that   the   guns    of    the    Keokuk    have     been    re 
moved   from    the   wreck   and   taken   to    Charleston. 

I  have  no  information  on  the  subject  other  than 
is  given  in  the  enclosed  slip,  and  which  I  had  seen 
before,  but  I  have  very  little  doubt  of  its  truth.  The 
work,  however,  must  have  been  done  at  night. 

The  Department  has  already  been  informed  in  my 
dispatch,  No.  208,  that  I  offered  every  facility  to  Chief 
Engineer  Robie  to  blow  up  the  Keokuk  with  the 
Ericsson  raft ;  but  that  officer  found  it  too  dangerous 
to  use. 

Very   respectfully   your  obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  loth,  1863. 

Commander  G.  W.  RODGERS,  U.  S.  S.  Catskill,  Senior  Officer, 
North  Edisto: 

SIR  :  —  Enclosed  are  orders  to  Commander  Downes. 
Please  dispatch  the  Nahant  with  all  haste.  Informa 
tion  was  received  to-day,  from  deserters  from  Savannah, 
that  the  iron-clad  Atlanta  will  probably  attack,  to-night, 
the  Cimerone,  at  Wassaw,  and  subsequently  the  army 
forces  at  Ossebaw.  Captain  John  Rodgers  leaves  here 
this  afternoon,  if  possible. 

The  Prometheus  will  tow  the  Nahant  directly  to 
Wassaw.  If  the  Prometheus  is  not  able  to  tow  the 
Nahant,  you  will  order  the  Dandelion  to  tow  her. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  5O/ 

If    it     should    so   happen   that   the   Nahant   is    not 
ready,    you    will    please    dispatch    the   first   one   that   is 
ready   for   immediate    use. 
Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 

P.  S. — You    will    send    Pilot    Cook   to    Wassaw,  on 

the   Nahant. 

S.  F.  D.  P., 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  loth,  1863. 

Commander  J.  DOWNES,  United  States  Ship  Nahant, 
North  Edisto : 

SIR  :  —  You  will,  on  the  receipt  of  this  order,  pro 
ceed  at  once  with  the  Nahant,  in  tow  of  the  Pro 
metheus,  to  Wassaw,  reporting  on  your  arrival  to 
Captain  John  Rodgers,  senior  officer  present. 

Information   has   been    received  that  the  rebel  iron 
clad   Atlanta    is   about   to   attack   our   vessels   there. 
Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear-Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic   Blockading  Squadron. 


508  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  O.F 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C,  June  loth,  1863. 

Captain  J.  RODGERS,  member  of  Court  Martial: 

SIR  :  —  Your  services  being  immediately  required 
elsewhere,  you  will,  on  the  receipt  of  this  order,  con 
sider  yourself  relieved  from  duty  on  the  court  of  which 
you  are  now  a  member. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  loth,  1863. 

Captain  JOHN  RODGERS,  United  States  Ship 
Weehawken : 

SIR: — A  report  has  reached  me,  through  desert 
ers,  that  the  iron-clad  Atlanta  will  probably  attempt 
to-night  to  attack  the  Cimerone. 

You   will   therefore   proceed  at  once  with  the  Wee 
hawken   to  Wassaw,  and   take   charge  of  those  waters. 
Another   iron-clad    will  be  sent  as  soon  as  possible. 
Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,   S.  C.,  June   I2th,   1863. 

Commander  D.  AMMEN,  United  States 
Ship  Patapsco : 

DEAR  SIR:  —  A  medical  survey  having  pronounced 
you.  unfit  for  duty,  you  will  take  passage  North  on 
the  United  States  transport  Arago,  and  on  your  arrival 
report  yourself  to  the  Department  by  letter. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  509 

I  cannot  permit  this  occasion  to  pass  without  re 
newing  the  expression  of  my  respect  and  confidence 
elicited  by  your  long  and  arduous  services  in  the 
squadron  under  my  command,  now  dating  back  to 
October,  1861. 

Your  services  in  the  Seneca,  which  vessel,  by  your 
skill  and  energy,  kept  her  station  through  the  memo 
rable  gale  of  that  year,  which  the  squadron  encountered 
on  its  way  to  Port  Royal  ;  your  share  in  the  capture 
of  the  forts  of  this  harbor,  your  judicious  and  ener 
getic  course  in  the  North  Edisto  and  St.  John's  Rivers, 
and,  above  all,  your  conduct  when  in  command  of  the 
iron-clad  Patapsco  in  the  attack  on  Charleston,  deserve 
especial  commendation,  and  it  gives  me  pleasure  to 
refer  to  them. 

I  hope  your  health  will  soon  be  restored,  that  the 
service  and  your  country  may  soon  have  further  proofs 
of  your  devotion. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  isth,  1863. 

Captain  C.  O.  BOUTELLE,  Assistant  Coast  Survey,  United 
States  Steamer  Bibb  : 

SIR:  —  I  take  pleasure  in  acknowledging  your  two 
communications  of  the  loth  inst,  one  detailing  the 
services  of  the  United  States  Coast  Survey  steamer 
Bibb,  in  this  squadron,  and  the  other  referring  particu 
larly  to  the  lighting  of  the  southeast  channel  into 
Port  Royal  harbor. 


5IO  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Your  services  have  not  only  been  of  great  value 
in  the  surveying  of  the  different  sounds  on  this  coast, 
but  you  have  at  all  times  exhibited  promptitude  and 
earnestness  in  carrying  out  the  instructions  of  the 
Superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey,  in  aiding  in  every 
possible  way  my  operations. 

Since  the  Bibb  rejoined  this  squadron,  on  the  2/th 
of  November  last,  you  have  surveyed  the  entrance  to 
Georgetown  harbor;  have  carried  on  surveys  connected 
with  the  coal  depot  and  wharf  to  be  constructed  at  Bay 
Point;  arranged  the  beacons  for  the  lighting  of  the 
southeast  channel  of  this  port;  visited,  with  Mr.  A. 
Goodwin,  light-house  engineer,  every  harbor  between 
St.  Helena  and  St.  Augustine;  and  aided  and  assisted 
him  in  carrying  out  his  orders. 

You  also  made  important  surveys  on  Charleston 
bar,  in  January  last,  and  previous  to  the  attack  on  the 
forts  in  April,  in  which  attack  your  executive  officer, 
Mr.  Platt,  acted  as  pilot  to  the  Weehawken. 

Since  that  time  you  have  been  engaged  in  buoy 
ing  Ossebaw  bar,  and  in  making  a  complete  re-survey 
of  the  bar  of  Port  Royal,  and  the  channels  entering 
it,  marking  by  buoys  the  middle  ground  of  the  har 
bor,  and  other  dangerous  spots. 

In  a  previous  letter  I  have  expressed  my  com 
mendation  of  your  conduct  in  seeking  after  and  tow 
ing  the  army  transport  steamer  Pilot  Boy  to  this  port ; 
and  I  am  pleased  to  hear  that  General  Foster  has,  in 
a  written  communication,  expressed  his  acknowledg 
ment  of  your  services  in  that  case. 

But  apart  and  'aside  from  the  duties  alluded  to 
above,  the  Bibb  has  been  employed  constantly  as  a 
dispatch  vessel,  in  conveying  important  orders  connected 
with  the  naval  operations  in  this  squadron,  where  she 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  5  1 1 

has   been    of    essential    use,  particularly  since   the  with 
drawal  of  the  Water   Witch. 

In  closing  our  official  intercourse,  I  deem  it  an 
act  of  simple  duty  to  express  to  you  my  appreciation 
and  thanks  for  the  important  services  you  have  rendered 
your  country,  and  the  aid  you  have  been  to  me  as 
commander -in -chief  of  this  squadron,  while  carrying 
out  the  duties  of  your  own  particular  department. 

I    have    ever  found   you  prompt,  zealous,  intelligent, 
and   obliging,  and    I    shall   always  esteem    it   a  privilege 
to   bear   testimony   to   the   same. 
I  am  very  truly  yours, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port   Royal   Harbor,  S.  C.,  June   i3th,   1863. 

Hon.    GIDEON  WELLES,   Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,    D.   C. : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  the  Department's  dispatch,  dated  June  3d,  1863, 
informing  me  that  the  Department  had  concluded  to 
relieve  me  of  the  command  of  the  South  Atlantic 
Blockading  Squadron,  and  to  order  Rear  Admiral 
Foote  as  my  successor. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic   Blockading   Squadron. 


5  1 2  OFFICIAL  D2SPA  TCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  i3th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  Enclosed  (marked  No.  i)  is  a  survey  held 
on  the  United  States  surveying  steamer  Bibb,  in  con 
sequence  of  which  she  has  been  ordered  to  New  York 
for  repairs. 

I  deem  it  proper  to  report  to  the  Department 
that  the  Bibb,  since  she  rejoined  this  squadron,  in 
November  last, .  has  been  engaged  mostly  in  the  per 
formance  of  duties  connected  with  the  navy,  in  which 
Mr.  Boutelle,  who  has  command  of  the  Bibb,  has  shown 
great  promptitude  and  earnestness,  and  on  all  occasions 
has  been  of  very  essential  service.  I  should  frequently 
have  been  much  embarrassed  in  communicating  with 
the  different  stations  of  the  squadron,  after  the  break 
ing  down  of  the  Water  Witch,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  Bibb. 

As  she  proceeds  North  broken  down  in  the  service 
of  the  navy,  I  respectfully  suggest  that  she  be  repaired 
at  a  navy  yard,  by  the  Government. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  i4th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  Lieutenant  James  P.  Robertson,  of  this  ship, 
having  served  on  board  of  her  since  she  went  into 
commission,  without  a  day's  leave  of  absence,  I  have 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  5  13 

given   him   permission   to   go    North,  for   two    weeks,  in 
the   Arago. 

I  desire  to  express  my  warm  commendation  of 
the  faithful  and  efficient  manner  in  which  he  has  per 
formed  his  duties  as  an  officer  attached  to  this  ship, 
and  during  the  various  expeditions  which  have  been 
fitted  out  from  the  Wabash. 

His  conduct  during  the  engagement  with  the  forts 
at  Port  Royal,  when  in  charge  of  the  quarter-deck 
divisiop,  came  under  my  own  immediate  observation, 
and  I  was  much  pleased  with  his  manly  bearing  and 
coolness  in  action. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  lyth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  Having  reason  to  believe  that  the  Atlanta 
and  other  rebel  iron-clads  at  Savannah  were  about  at 
tempting  to  enter  Wassaw  Sound,  by  Wilmington  river, 
for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the  blockading  vessels 
there,  and  in  the  sounds  further  south,  I  dispatched, 
some  days  ago,  the  Weehawken,  Captain  John  Rodgers, 
from  this  port,  and  the  Nahant,  Commander  J.  Downes, 
from  North  Edisto,  to  Wassaw,  where  the  Cimerone, 
Commander  Drake,  was  maintaining  an  inside  blockade. 

I  have  the  satisfaction  to  report  to  the  Depart 
ment  that  this  morning  the  Atlanta  came  down  by 

33 


5  1 4  OFFICIAL  DISPA  TCHES  OF 

Wilmington     river     into     Wassaw,    and     was     captured. 
This   information   has  just   been   received,  in  a  telegram 
from    Fort   Pulaski,  sent   by    Captain  John   Rodgers. 
Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  i/th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  the  Depart 
ment  that,  since  mailing  my  dispatch  (No.  316)  I  have 
received  further  details  of  the  capture  of  the  Atlanta, 
sent  through  the  kindness  of  Colonel  Barton,  by  tele 
graph,  from  Fort  Pulaski. 

The  Atlanta,  Captain  William  Webb,  came  down 
this  morning,  via  Wilmington  river,  to  attack  our  ves 
sels  in  Wassaw.  She  was  accompanied  by  two  wooden 
steamers,  filled,  it  is  said,  with  persons  as  spectators. 

The  Weehawken  at  once  engaged  her,  firing,  in 
all,  five  shots,  three  of  which  took  effect,  penetrating 
her  armor,  and  killing  or  wounding  the  crews  of  two 
guns.  Two  out  of  three  of  the  pilots  were  also  badly 
wounded,  and  the  pilot-house  broken  up;  whereupon 
the  vessel  grounded,  and  immediately  after  surrendered. 
The  Weehawken  was  not  hit. 

The  armament  of  the  Atlanta  was  two  seven-inch  and 
two  six-inch  Brooks  guns.  She  is  but  slightly  injured. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  515 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  igth,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  I  have  the  honor  to  forward,  herewith 
(marked  No.  i),  the  interesting  report  of  Captain  John 
Rodgers,  of  the  capture  of  the  Confederate  iron-clad 
steamer  Atlanta,  better  known  as  the  Fingal,  as  well 
as  the  report  to  Captain  Rodgers  of  Commander 
Downes,  of  the  Nahant,  who  participated  in  the  capture. 

The  Fingal,  in  a  dense  fog,  ran  the  blockade 
of  Savannah  a  few  days  after  the  Port  Royal  forts 
were  taken,  in  November,  1861.  She  has  been  closely 
watched  ever  since ;  and,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Nash 
ville,  the  long  and  ceaseless  vigilance  of  my  officers 
have  been  rewarded.  The  Atlanta  is  now  in  Port 
Royal  under  the  American  flag,  having,  unaided,  steamed 
into  this  harbor  from  Wassaw. 

The  Department  will  notice,  in  this  event,  how 
well  Captain  Rodgers  has  sustained  his  distinguished 
reputation,  and  added  to  the  list  of  the  brilliant  ser 
vices  which  he  has  rendered  to  his  country  during 
this  rebellion. 

It  will  be  my  duty  to  recapitulate  these  services, 
which  have  taken  place  during  his  connection  with 
my  command,  in  another  communication. 

Commander  Downes,  with  his  usual  gallantry, 
moved  as  rapidly  as  possible  towards  the  enemy,  re 
serving  his  fire  until  he  could  get  into  close  action, 
but  lost  the  opportunity,  from  the  brief  nature  of  the 
engagement,  of  using  his  battery. 

I  have  been  told  that  the  Confederate  government 
considered  the  Atlanta  as  the  most  efficient  of  its 
i  ron-clads. 


516  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  officers  and  crew  of  the  Atlanta,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  the  wounded  and  one  of  the  surgeons,  have 
been  transferred  to  the  United  States  ship  James  Adgerr 
to  be  conveyed,  at  once,  to  Hampton  Roads.  A  list 
is  herewith  enclosed  (marked  No.  3). 

I  cannot  close  this  dispatch  without  calling  the 
attention  of  the  Department  to  the  coolness  and  gal 
lantry  of  Acting  Master  Benjamin  N.  Loring,  especially 
recommended  by  Captain  Rodgers.  I  trust  that  the 
Department  will  consider  his  services  as  worthy  of 
consideration. 

I  forward  herewith  (marked  4,  5,  and  6),  the  lists 
of  the  officers  and  crews  of  the  Weehawken,  Nahant, 
and  Cimerone. 

Respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  2ist,  1863. 

Captain  JOHN  RODGERS,  United  States  Ship 
Weehawken  : 

SIR  :  —  I  take  great  pleasure  in  acknowledging 
your  official  report  of  the  capture  of  the  rebel  iron 
clad  steamer  Atlanta,  and  congratulate  you  on  having 
deprived  the  enemy  of  their  most  powerful  vessel- of  - 
war. 

You  will  please  express  to  your  officers  and  men, 
if  you  have  not  already  done  so,  my  commendation 
of  their  gallant  services  on  this,  as  on  all  other  oc 
casions. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  517 

I  have  specially  called  the  attention  of  the  De 
partment  to  Acting  Master  Loring;  and  it  is  my  pur 
pose,  before  leaving,  to  -write  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Navy  my  high  appreciation  of  your  valuable  and  gal 
lant  services  since  you  have  been  under  my  command 
in  this  squadron. 

Respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag   Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  2ist,  1863. 

Commander  JOHN  DOWNES,  United  States  Ship 
Nahant : 

SIR  :  —  I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  the  official 
reports  of  Captain  John  Rodgers  and  yourself,  on  the 
iQth  inst,  detailing  the  circumstances  of  the  capture 
of  the  rebel  iron-clad  steamer  Atlanta;  which  reports 
were  at  once  forwarded  to  the  Department,  with  my 
dispatches,  by  the  James  Adger. 

Previous  to  receiving  these  communications  I  had 
no  information  other  than  that  which  was  derived 
from  short  telegrams  sent  from  Fort  Pulaski.  Your 
report  enlightened  me  as  to  the  position  of  the  Na 
hant  in  the  action;  and,  as  might  be  anticipated  from 
your  well-known  gallantry,  your  vessel  was  fast  ap 
proaching  the  enemy  to  engage  her  at  close  quarters, 
when  she  suddenly  surrendered. 

Your  determination  to  reserve  your  fire  was,  I 
think,  a  wise  one ;  and  I  do  not  see  that  there  is 
any  cause  of  regret  for  having  done  so,  as  you  were 
pursuing  your  foe,  not  awaiting  her  approach. 


518  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

The  capture  of  the  Atlanta  is  a  matter  of  great 
congratulation ;  and  you  will  please  express  to  your 
officers  and  crew  my  appreciation  of  their  services  on 
this,  as  on  all  other  occasions  since  the  Nahant  has 
been  in  my  squadron. 

In  my  dispatch  to  the  Department,  in  referring  to 
the  Nahant,  I  have  thus  expressed  myself: 

"Commander  Downes,  with  his  usual  gallantry,  moved  as 
rapidly  as  possible  towards  the  enemy,  reserving  his  fire  until 
he  could  get  into  close  action;  but  lost  the  opportunity,  from 
the  brief  nature  of  the  engagement,  of  using  his  battery." 

Very   respectfully, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  25th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  The  Department  has  been  informed,  in  my 
previous  dispatches,  of  the  capture  of  the  Confederate 
iron-clad  steamer  Atlanta. 

On  the  2Oth  inst.  I  ordered  a  strict  and  careful 
survey  to  be  made  of  her  hull,  armor,  machinery,  etc. 
(enclosed,  marked  No.  i);  and  I  herewith  submit  the  re 
port  made  in  pursuance  thereof  (marked  No.  2),  as  well 
as  a  drawing  made  of  the  vessel  by  the  Second  As 
sistant  Engineer,  P.  R.  Voorhees,  of  this  ship,  and  a  pen 
cil  sketch  by  Mr.  Xanthus  Smith,  Commander  Corbin's 
clerk. 

I  also  forward  herewith  a  survey  upon  the  pay 
master's  stores  of  the  prize  (marked  No.  3),  part  of 
which,  as  the  Department  will  perceive,  is  represented  as 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT.  5  19 

of  good  quality,  and  fit  for  issue  in  the  storekeeper's 
department  of  this  squadron ;  the  rest  of  the  stores 
are  not  considered  suitable  for  that  purpose,  and  it  is 
recommended  that  they  be  sold.  May  I  ask  the  De 
partment  to  give  special  directions  whether  they  may 
be  disposed  of  here,  if  practicable,  or  whether  they 
should  be  sent  North. 

I  will  forward  by  the  next  mail  the  report  show 
ing  in  detail  the  quantity  and  character  of  the  ammu 
nition  found  on  board. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  29th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C.  : 

SIR  :  —  Drawings  and  descriptions  of  the  Atlanta 
have  been  prepared  and  already  forwarded  to  the  De 
partment.  Inventories  of  all  articles  found  on  board 
have  been  made,  and  a  board  of  competent  officers, 
having  no  pecuniary  interest  in  the  capture,  has  been 
appointed  to  appraise  the  vessel,  her  equipment,  etc., 
and  their  report  will  be  forwarded  to  the  Department. 

Repairs  have  already  been  made,  in  part,  and  are 
still  progressing;  and  enclosed  is  a  requisition  from 
the  fleet  engineer,  Danby,  for  engineers,  firemen,  and 
coal  heavers,  for  the  prize.  She  is,  at  present,  under 
the  command  of  Acting  Master  Loring,  of  the  Wee- 
hawken. 


52O  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Two  flags,  taken  on  board,  have  been  already  put 
up  and  addressed  to  the  Navy  Department,  the  only 
trophies  I  have  any  knowledge  of. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  June  29th,  1863. 

Brigadier  -  General  Q.  A.  GILMORE,  Commanding  Department 
of  the  South : 

GENERAL:  —  I  have  delayed,  until  the  arrival  of  the 
Arago,  to  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  26th 
inst,  in  reference  to  naval  assistance  and  co-operation 
in  proposed  movements  on  your  part. 

As  I  expected,  the  Arago  brings  the  information 
that  I  may  look  this  week  for  my  relief,  Admiral 
Dahlgren,  who  will,  doubtless,  bring  instructions  from 
the  Government  in  reference  to  the  subject  matter  of 
your  letter ;  while  I  am  in  entire  ignorance  of  the 
same,  having  received  neither  orders  nor  intimations 
as  to  what  was  pending  or  intended,  except  that  a 
large  party  of  workmen,  with  their  superintendents, 
have  been  sent  with  orders  to  strengthen  the  monitors 
in  a  most  material  manner,  work  which  will  take 
twelve  weeks,  by  their  estimates. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  have 
every  expectation  of  getting  an  iron-clad,  the  Nan- 
tucket,  across  the  Stono  bar  at  the  coming  spring 
tides,  in  accordance  with  your  request ;  and  shall  di 
rect  the  senior  officer  of  the  four  vessels  in  Stono 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  $21 

to   give   all    support   and     co-operation    possible    to   the 
army   there. 

In  reference  to  operations  off  Charleston,  you  will 
at  once  perceive  that  such  operations,  once  commenced, 
could  not  be  discontinued;  and  I  cannot,  in  justice  to 
my  successor,  and  in  the  absence  of  instructions,  en 
gage  therein. 

General,  I  trust  I  need  not  add  how  agreeable  it 
would  be  to  me  to  be  associated  with  you  again  in 
operations  on  this  coast,  impressed  as  I  was  by  your 
efficiency  and  success  while  attached  to  the  expedi 
tionary  corps ;  impressions  which  have  been  much 
strengthened  by  your  present  energy  and  zeal. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  ist,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy  : 

SIR:  —  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  following 
positions,  on  blockade,  of  the  vessels  of  this  squadron : 

Off  Merrill's  Inlet,  United  States  steamer  Flam 
beau. 

At   Georgetown,  United  States   steamer  Conemaugh. 

Off  Bull's  Bay,  United  States  steamer  South  Caro 
lina. 

Off  Charleston,  United  States  steamers  New  Iron 
sides,  Canandaigua,  Powhatan,  Flag,  Augusta,  Chippewa, 
Lodona,  Marblehead,  Ottawa,  Huron,  Wissahickon,  Mem 
phis,  Dandelion,  Norfolk  Packet,  and  G.  W.  Blunt. 


522  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

In  Stono,  United  States  steamers  Pawnee,  Nan- 
tucket,  Commodore  McDonough,  and  schooner  C.  P. 
Williams. 

In  North  Edisto,  United  States  steamers  Catskill 
and  Patapsco. 

In   St.  Helena,  United   States   bark   Kingfisher. 

In  Wassaw,  United  States  steamers  Unadilla  and 
Cimerone. 

In   Ossebaw,  United   States   steamer  Water  Witch. 

Guarding  St.  Catherine's,  Sapelo,  Doboy,  and  St. 
Simon's,  United  States  steamers  Paul  Jones,  Wamsutta, 
Madgie,  and  bark  Midnight. 

In   St.  Andrew's,  United   States   bark    Braziliera. 

At   Fernandina,  United   States   steamer   Potomska. 

In  St.  John's,  United  States  steamers  E.  B.  Hale 
and  Norwich. 

Off  Mosquito,  United  States   schooner   Para. 

In  Port  Royal,  flag  ship  Wabash ;  store  ships  Ver 
mont  and  Valparaiso  ;  also,  repairing  and  taking  in  stores, 
steamers  Housatonic,  Weehawken,  Montauk,  Nahant, 
Stettin,  Oleander,  tugs  Daffodil,  Pettit,  Rescue,  and 
Columbine. 

As  guard  ship,  at  Port  Royal,  South  Carolina,  United 
States  ship  Mohawk. 

Respectfully  your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT. 


'  Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  2d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  Having  received  information  from  Commander 
Balch,  of  the  Pawnee,  senior  officer  present  in  Stono, 
obtained  in  part  through  deserters,  that  the  rebels  have 
a  very  large  force  of  negroes  engaged  in  deepening 
Wappoo  Cut,  in  order  to  push  their  rams  through  into 
Stono  River,  and  Brigadier  General  Gilmore  being  also 
anxious  for  his  force,  now  on  Folly  Island,  I  sent  Act 
ing  Masters  Godfrey  and  Hafford,  our  two  most  ex 
perienced  pilots,  to  sound  Stono  bar,  and  its  approaches, 
with  great  care.  The  result  was  the  discovery  of  a  new 
channel,  recently  formed,  shorter  and  straighter  than  the 
one  heretofore  used,  and  carrying  over  the  bar,  at  the 
highest  spring  tides,  fourteen  feet. 

I  therefore  ordered  the  United  States  iron -clad 
steamer  Nantucket,  Commander  J.  C.  Beaumont,  to  cross 
the  bar  and  enter  Stono,  which  was  safely  accomplished 
on  the  ist  instant.  The  Nantucket  was  towed  by  the 
United  States  army  transport  Ben  Deford. 

Respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear   Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic   Blockading  Squadron. 


524  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  3d,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Washington,  D.  C. : 

SIR:  —  I  forward  herewith  (marked  No.  i),  the  re 
port  of  a  board  of  survey  appointed  to  appraise  the 
value  of  the  hull,  machinery,  ordnance,  ordnance  stores, 
provisions,  and  small  arms  and  equipments  of  the 
prize  iron-clad  steamer  Atlanta.  The  whole  valuation 
amounts  to  $350,829.25. 

I  also  forward,  herewith,  an  inventoiy  of  the  ord 
nance  and  ordnance  stores  (marked  No.  2),  the  survey 
on  the  provisions  and  small  stores  (marked  No.  3), 
and  the  survey  on  the  equipments  and  stores  in  the 
master's,  boatswain's,  sailmaker's,  and  carpenter's  depart 
ments  (marked  No.  4). 

I  have  also  forwarded,  by  this  mail,  to  the  De 
partment,  the  flags  of  the  Atlanta,  the  muster  rolls  of 
that  vessel  and  the  Georgia,  and  log-books  of  the 
Atlanta. 

Very   respectfully   your   obedient    servant, 
S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

R-ear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  3d,  1863. 

Commodore  G.  W.  RODGERS,  Catskill,  Senior  Officer, 
North  Edisto: 

SIR  :  —  You   will   please,  with   all    dispatch,   prepare 
the    Catskill   and    Patapsco   for   immediate    service. 
Respectfully, 

S.  F.  DuPoNT, 

Rear  Admiral, 
Commanding  South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU PONT.  525 

(Confidential). 

Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  3d,  1863. 

Commodore  T.  TURNER,  New  Ironsides, 
Off  Charleston,  S.  C. : 

SIR  :  —  General  Gilmore  has  applied  to  me  for 
assistance  on  Morris  Island.  Though  without  instruc 
tions,  and  daily  expecting  Admiral  Dahlgren  to  relieve 
me,  I  am  desirous  that  the  latter  should  find  every 
thing  in  as  great  a  state  of  readiness  as  I  can  have 
them. 

You  will,  therefore,  keep  the  Ironsides,  and  such 
vessels  as  are  suitable  for  this  service,  in  a  condition 
to  move  at  any  moment  across  the  bar,  taking  what 
quantity  of  coal  you  may  deem  best  for  this  purpose. 

S.  F.  Du  PONT, 

Rear  Admiral. 


Flag  Ship  Wabash, 
Port  Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.,  July  5th,  1863. 

Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy : 

SIR  :  —  As  I  was  preparing  to  hand  over,  at  an 
early  hour  in  the  morning,  the  command  of  the  South 
Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron  to  Rear  Admiral  Dahl 
gren,  in  accordance  with  the  orders  of  the  Depart 
ment,  I  received  from  the  latter  its  communication  of 
the  2/th  of  June,  the  latest  date  which  has  reached 
me,  referring  to  the  guns  of  the  Keokuk. 

Having  indulged  the  hope  that  my  command,  cover 
ing  a  period  of  twenty-one  months  afloat,  had  not 
been  without  results,  I  was  not  prepared  for  a  con- 


526  OFFICIAL  DISPATCHES. 

tinuance  of  that  censure  from  the  Department  which 
has  characterized  its  letters  to  me  since  the  monitors 
failed  to  take  Charleston. 

I  can  only  add  now,  that  to  an  officer  of  my 
temperament,  whose  sole  aim  has  been  to  do  his  whole 
duty,  and  who  has  passed  through  forty-seven  years 
of  service  without  a  word  of  reproof,  these  censures 
of  the  Navy  Department  would  be  keenly  felt,  if  I 
did  not  know  they  were  wholly  undeserved. 

Very   respectfully   your   obedient   servant, 

S.  F.  Du  PONT. 


INDEX. 


Adirondack,  loss  of  the,  pp.  290,  291, 
292,  300,  301. 

America,  rebel  yacht,  capture  of,  p. 
150. 

Anglia,  capture  of  the,  pp.  332,  334. 
Annie  Dees,  capture  of  the,  p.  364. 

Appointment  to  command  of  South 
Atlantic  Blockading  Squadron,  p. 
39- 

Aquila,  capture  of  the,  p.  252. 

Atlanta,  capture  of  the,  pp.  514  et  seq. 

Baltimore  American,  false  statements 
of,  regarding  attack  on  Charles 
ton,  pp.  464  et  seq.,  476. 

Beauregard,  Gen.  P.  T.,  proclamation 
of,  declaring  blockade  raised,  pp. 
408,  410,  412. 

Blockade,  rigor  of,  pp.  79,  157  et  seq., 
166,  167;  difficulty  of  maintain 
ing  the,  pp.  286,  295,  406,  407, 
426;  necessity  of  iron-clad  ves 
sels  for  the,  p.  493. 

Blockade  of  Mexican  ports,  p.  8  et 
seq. 

Blockading  fleet,  condition  of,  p.  227. 
Blockading  instructions,  p.  43. 


Brunswick,  Georgia,  occupation  of,  p. 
129. 

Budd,  Lieutenant  T.  A.,  death  of,  p. 
132. 

Canandaigua,  dispatch  of  the,  to  as 
sistance  of  the  Adirondack,  p.  290. 

Catiline,  capture  of  the,  p.  209. 

Charleston,  attack  on,  pp.  437  et  seq., 
449  et  seq.;  notes  on  the  attack 
on,  p.  448;  reply  to  comments 
of  Navy  Department  on  the  op 
erations  against,  p.  458  et  seq., 
495  et  seq. 

Condor,  capture  and  burning  of  the, 
pp.  15,  16. 

Contrabands,  surrender  of,  p.  219; 
colonies  of,  p.  363. 

Cumberland  Sound,  operations  in, 
pp.  108  et  seq. 

David  Crockett,  capture  of  the,  p.  324. 
Defiance,  capture  of  the,  p.  310. 
Economist,  escape  of  the,  p.  212. 
Eliza,  capture  of  the,  p.  282. 

Emilie,  alleged  improper  conduct  of 
crews  capturing  the,  pp.  271  et 
seq. 


530 


on-ICIAL  DISPATCHES  OF 


Fanny,  capture  of  the,  p.  282. 
Fanny  Laurie,  capture  of  the,  p.  307. 

Fernandina,  occupation  of,  pp.  112 
et  seq. 

Fingal,  Confederate  steamer,  entrance 
to  Savannah,  p.  72;  capture  of, 
pp.  514  et  seq. 

Florida,  coast  of,  operations  on,  pp. 
122  et  seq. 

Fort  Clinch,  capture  of,  p.  113. 

Fort  McAllister,  operations  against, 
p.  424. 

Fort  Pulaski,  fall  of,  p.  153. 

Fulton,  C.  C.,  libelous  letter  of,  pp. 
464  et  seq. 

Genesis  Point,  engagement  with  bat 
tery  at,  p.  375 ;  operations  against 
fort  at,  pp  393,  416  et  seq. 

Gladiator,  rebel  steamer,  status  of, 
p.  85. 

Governor  Milton,  capture  of  the,  p. 

344- 
Heywood,  Lieutenant,  relief  of,  pp. 

23  et  seq. 

Huston,  rebel  guerrilla,  capture  of, 
p.  196. 

Hutchinson's  Island,  outrage  on,  p. 
202. 

Insubordination,  p.  369. 

Iron-clads,  building  of  rebel,  pp.  325, 
326;  need  of,  for  blockading,  p. 
493 

Isaac  Smith,  U.  S.  ship,  loss  of  bat 
tery,  p.  49;  capture  of  the,  pp 
402  et  seq. 

Keokuk,  loss  of  the,  p.  453;  removal 
of  guns  of  the,  p.  506;  attempt 
to  blow  up  the,  pp.  457,  461. 

Kidnapping  of  Creoles,  pp.  349,  352. 


Light-houses,  condition  of,  p.  143. 

Lodona,  capture  of  the,  pp.  248  et 
seq. 

Mary  Stewart,  capture  of  the,  p.  208. 

Mason  and  Slidell,  departure  of,  from 
Charleston,  p.  43. 

Mather,  Acting  Master  S.  W.,  death 
of,  p.  132. 

Mercedita,  surrender  of  the,  p.  399. 
Mercury,  capture  of  the,  p.  383. 
Minho,  blockade-runner,  p.  330. 
Miramon,  capture  of,  p.  181. 

Monitors,  defects  of,  pp.  394,  395,  416, 
496. 

Morning  Star,  capture  of,  p.  214. 

Nashville,  pursuit  of  rebel  steamer, 
pp.  43,  21 1 ;  destruction  of,  p. 
419. 

Negroes,  condition  of,  pp.  75,  83. 
Onward,  memorial  of  crew  of,  p.  275. 

Oreto,  piratical  cruise  of  the,  pp. 
291,  293. 

Ouachita,  capture  of  the,  pp.  329,  353. 

Patras,  English  steamer,  capture  of, 
p.  174. 

Petrel,  H.  B.  M.  ship,  presence  of,  in 
Charleston,  p.  409. 

Planter,  rebel  steamer,  brought  out 
of  Charleston,  p.  168. 

Pocotaligo,  expedition  to,  p.  336. 

Port    Royal,  capture  of  forts  at,  pp. 
'    53.  56  et  seq. 

Port  Royal  Ferry,  operations  at,  pp. 
90,  91. 

Quarantine,  establishment  of,  pp.  264, 
281. 

Raid  on  blockading  fleet,  pp.  398  et 
seq. 


ADMIRAL  S.  F.  DU  PONT. 


5*31 


St.  John's,  operations  in    the,  p.  315 
et  seq. 

San  Diego,  occupation  of,  pp.  i  et  seq. 

Sandwich  Islands,  visit  of  the  Cyane 
to,  pp.  19  et  seq. 

San  Jose,  engagement  at,  pp.   26  et 
seq. 

Santee  river,  expedition   up  the,  pp. 
260,  261. 

Sarah,  capture  of  the,  p.  209. 

Saunders,  Major  Reid,  capture  of,  p. 
p.  384. 

Savannah,  harbor  of,  closed,  p.  74. 
Scotia,  capture  of  the,  p.  331. 

Seabrook,  escape  of,  p.  205;    capture 
of,  p.  230. 

Small,    Robert,    pilot    of   Planter,   p. 
169. 


South  Atlantic  Blockading  Squad 
ron,  departure  of,  from  Hamp 
ton  Roads,  p.  46;  dispersion  of, 
P-  49- 

Sproston,  Lieutenant  John  G.,  death 
of,  p.  196. 

Stono,  occupation  of,  p.  181. 
Stono  Inlet,  seizure  of,  p.  222. 

Stimers,  A.  C.,  charges  against,  pp. 
478  et  seq. 

Sumter,  capture  of  boat's  crew  of 
the,  p.  242. 

Tropic,  destruction  of  the,  p.  392. 
"290,"  Laird  gunboat,  p.  293. 
Wabash,  repairs  of  the,  pp.  257,  258. 

Wassaw  Inlet,  fortifications  at,  aban 
doned,  p.  80. 

Wave,  capture  of  the,  p.  348. 
Winyau  Bay,  occupation  of,  p.  179. 


uv^ 

1  \1      -X 


